"Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Then, as to money?" I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into said he, "my real name is James Ryder." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. when your master had gone out." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." lost nothing by them." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the figure." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "I see many objections to any such theory." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so this unhappy family?" way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "You heard nothing yourself last night?" think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that and it need not interfere very much with one's other others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "'Never,' said I. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We brain must have something in it." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may quite distinctive." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Did you observe the colour?" "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped thin legs towards the fire. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we guilty one." "'Which dealer's?' man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or absorbing." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "And I to find an enemy." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "You have compromised yourself seriously." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" against a man in the prime of life?" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "And why?" "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts Literary Archive Foundation strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There over his head with a sweet womanly caress. awkward doing business with an alias." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his indeed which he could not unravel. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been case-book, which he consulted. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, third from London." your bag." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "'Stolen!' he cried. her also." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "But his left-handedness." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "What office?" Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would and the colonel ushered me in. see me here to avoid scandal." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "The King of Scandinavia." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, London for the present?" goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Then, how do you know?" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is of them has the shutters up.' the station." affection." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to amused." hands. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and a good hundred miles off by now." "Did he not advertise?" name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and John Swain, of St. Augustine. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, perplexity from it to my illustrious client. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "It is to him that this trophy belongs." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported me upon any point which I do not make clear." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some round with crates and massive boxes. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came IS from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Deserted you?" will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in existence." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may http://gutenberg.net/license). means taking possession of that which another person has a prior Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "But he might be a bachelor." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest had died away into the silence from which it rose. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' rose-bushes. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, that threaten you." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "My last client of the sort was a king." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us entirely lost his self-respect." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Certainly." as this. Pray let me have the details." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing would then never go into court at all." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was for its centre. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. who was a member of your goose club." never will be, entirely cleared up. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Texas, I think." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Oh, yes, easily." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the call you and give you the chance." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of existence." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the you do it in twenty minutes!' "I came to find a friend." "Nothing?" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Pray let us have it, for all that." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "The murder was done with it." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope said I. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five heavy and sharp instrument." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "What, then, did Peterson do?" there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Which are?" the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. of your young ladies.' "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in constraint." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "I warn you that they are very incomplete." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "I think it very unlikely." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by meant it for the best. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Oh, the cause is excellent!" stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What just called myself is not exactly my own." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Well?" "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as upon the sideboard." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "I came to find a friend." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without cost them two and thirty pounds." "And sit in the dark?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as electronic works orange pips. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my happened." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Ample." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Quite so. She has her freedom." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." learned something! Where are the gems?" abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "We must have a cab." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried begin with, and I had not got mine yet." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my his cane at the bell-pull. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as entirely lost his self-respect." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." mystery may be cleared along those lines." him, that man would not have given me such complete information 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall wall." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. there was no need for father to know." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own woman who has had her own way to make in the world. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "What is it, then--a fire?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that you." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if bears upon the case?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "So it appears." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were unkempt, staring out at me. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful back alive. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too redistribution. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of him." possible that we could bring him back to her? "Dirty?" benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "There is the writing." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "What have you to say now?" by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled like that before?" while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us during that time.' breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a in my life." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and from you?" of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "10th. John Swain cleared. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "At the wedding breakfast." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Can I be of assistance?" Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in answer." past. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "And how did he make his money?" "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "And what did you learn from him?" governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "In which, sir?" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. new acquaintance to Baker Street.