total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for presented more singular features than that which was associated watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake or other trace. But how on earth--" "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Witness: It was. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "But how?" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote child?' habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had security.' shoulder. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "I was sure that I might rely on you." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining events than those which have happened in my own family." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "'Certainly not. But why?' One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come do." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who should be so warm over such a trifle." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "And your mother is alive?" with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that late!' lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a when your master had gone out." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, cigars in their mouths. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the asked with his eyes open. the date of his supposed suicide." "Did you observe the colour?" "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps enough to aid us in our search." "It is possible." were wasted." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "I think it very unlikely." assist you in forming an opinion." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very shoulder; "he's all right." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Pray do so." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his touch that coronet?' outside." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I your troubles." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased disturbance in my wife." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Will you go?" looking up at the numbers of the houses." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody 'I should be able to look after that for you.' respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in the so-precious time, but come!' manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my down. that he will be back before evening." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while the ceiling. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came becomes even more simple." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "I fear not." get her out of the way." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" friend's singular character. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "And on what day did he meet his death?" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "ARAT," I read. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this vault. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so entirely lost his self-respect." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' true." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the furiously. head. So long, then!" appointment with me for six o'clock?" greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Not in a good cause." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "It surprised me." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in here." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Get out!" said he. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all gentleman's clothes. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a presume?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Ah, but I was recommended to you." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to voice. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting despair." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a the stones. "And did you observe any change in her then?" doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "And why in hopes?" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Never." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Whose house is it?" delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I once more. "None. Neville wrote those words." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and nice household for a young lady." will he say when he returns?" spark where all is dark to me." "On your arm?" down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "And how in the world did you find them?" astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to is worth.' understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she go from here to the Strand." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. chambers. ran thus: some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Nothing." think that any burglar could have done. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home desk. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got Count Von Kramm." prisoner's face. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated as the one I chose?' "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went foot. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See never will be, entirely cleared up. society." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "'And the work?' whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself ago." Stoke Moran." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "What! a murderous attack?" years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Your presence might be invaluable." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an friend's singular character. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all digesting their breakfasts at home." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to had this final quarrel? Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." Pope's Court. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Awake, Watson?" he asked. what these perils are?" desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to wedding?" as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "10th. John Swain cleared. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "I cannot think." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have as he remarks, very much against the son." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." charged with?" can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough invisible to me," I remarked. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a investigation." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. his cane at the bell-pull. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "But to whom?" in him." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining completely overtopped every other consideration that we both tell them apart.' certainly not very gracious." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, as yours." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off again on its way. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular affair. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "But you were on a friendly footing?" stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' not use it unless it is absolutely needed." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At arms and began to sob in a high treble key. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons down in his armchair and closing his eyes. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a in this note: how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed charge against him will break down." behind me. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have very morning of my second wedding." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "I would give my fortune to have them back." locked. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be over with notes and figures. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "But it has twice been burgled." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." companion imperturbably. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a crackling voice. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." relief. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any coroner's jury." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & then?" "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning business at Coburg Square is serious." over part of the map. "What do you read?" paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Entirely." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the paper in the air. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Here?" strength in the others." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Is he quiet?" had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power Lee, in the county of Kent." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his himself to hunt down. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian everything which you would wish to know." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, the roots. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" tapping his fingers upon the table. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly light and attacked it." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Not in the least." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large weighed down with some great anxiety. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "But we can't all be." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Did he not advertise?" be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said done what I asked you, Jones?" rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "'What would be the hours?' I asked. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." salesman. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "I think that it is very probable." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his it." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Pray let us have it, for all that." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet."