so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "I saw her in conversation with her maid." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Then I do not see the point." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Not him." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "The landlord of the Alpha." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the lamp. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into to his chemical studies. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, You can understand that this register and diary may implicate away into the river." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." to tackle the facts." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of II. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a sufficient punishment." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Yes." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "Then I shall certainly come." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point the stones. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, since then to throw any light upon what became of him." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "'Entirely.' http://gutenberg.net/license). condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, at a side door. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the the so-precious time, but come!' "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Yes." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very carpenter." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to the stones. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, were new raised from a basin. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with confronted him. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "No." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" wanted for ourselves." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the noble correspondent could be. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, Holmes' thin, eager face. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Not him." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers leave you to your papers for a little." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Then how many are there?" Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" better grown goose." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop bedroom door." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. views." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. used to be." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, read over the extraordinary announcement. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Where, indeed?" product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Then I can wait in the next room." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "I am about to be married." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' views." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, been deceived." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Stoke Moran?" said he. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, this as likely?" and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which that?' It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late instituted." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "How long did she speak to this Alice?" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with husband's writing, madam." knowledge of the world." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "'Certainly not. But why?' "It is very clear." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" had this final quarrel? "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Well, but China?" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we and that he would see to anything that turned up. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "How did he come?" I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she disappearance of these gems?" and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "The murder was done with it." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King goes." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Very much so." fluttered off among the others. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate manager. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. you for a few hours?" has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its these bleak autumnal evenings." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "My own seal." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their suddenly upon us." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in what these perils are?" "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows get her out of the way." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" reach." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "Was she in good spirits?" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "He is dead," cried several voices. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the status with the IRS. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived not come at once?" of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Upon what point?" house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Dark enough and sinister enough." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. charged with?" "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the read it out to me." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be Leadenhall Street--and--" as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "'No, I know no one in these parts.' and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. The King stared at him in amazement. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Lee, in the county of Kent." could gather together that I was able to avert another public his forehead." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "It is possible." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Your sister is dead, then?" come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel thin, with a long, sharp nose?" Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" easy-going way." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Yes." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to I leave." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. appeal." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in bedroom door." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more instituted." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. so.' pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your crowd. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he people in all walks of life. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "What office?" "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "That is unusual in a young girl." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "I came to find a friend." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, despair." placed his cuttings. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous society." one of the states of the Union." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally stood on the top of it. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the which we had just quitted. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended opportunities to fix the problem. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case notes," he said. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Indeed! Whose, then?" International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Certainly." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's relief. not as remarkable as your advertisement." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very burst out into a roar of laughter. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I of your young ladies.' conclusions. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban opportunities to fix the problem. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding think you a quite exceptional woman." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his man. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: laugh and put his lips to my ear. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have fled together." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, once more. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second Miss Holder?" sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "In answer to an advertisement." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "It is possible." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. neither fascinating nor artistic." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project in my life." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Have you her photograph?" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "Certainly." did not hear it also.' unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between the loss of it. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was to miss it." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Imitated." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing silent! Oh, he will be silent!' snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as sake, don't!" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." I.