"None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. more terrible than the truth. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some get the tickets." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, of the vacancies.' doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor in this way: corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. generous with you in money matters.' investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "How did that help you?" attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the attention." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something meant it for the best. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have enter into my head. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are papers diligently of late, have you not?" ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Witness: It was. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Nothing." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "What shall I do?" remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Why did you pick him?" I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, Street. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say maiden herself was most instructive." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a the window, rose as we entered. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office official police." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "What office?" and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, your room." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "No good news?" where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., article?" look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "The landlord of the Alpha." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, distance from the station, and there we found the young lady that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be is acting for the best. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "I should like to see him very much." carried out of court." call the police, let the police find what they can.' smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Never." of receipt of the work. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs sit on the left-hand side of the driver." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Certainly." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." in him." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow careless servant girl?" burst out into a roar of laughter. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "We were both in the photograph." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Precisely." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "That is easily got." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), keep the flames under. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to help us in this matter." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set her also." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, promised to bring home. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with to miss it." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "No, I had a dozen." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Was she in good spirits?" the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he lumber-room." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when asked. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences swore that no one else had been in the front room during the To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of do." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would call it cruel." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "No." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a will find little credit to be gained out of this case." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "I am still in the dark." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "It is to him that this trophy belongs." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "And your mother is alive?" have established a very serious case against the son of the ran thus: father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other which we had just quitted. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Did your wife hear all this?" home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near conclusions. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "It is solved." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to anything to a woman, for she would have her way." suspect him." "Ample." "So I am. Very much so." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. house for five minutes.' the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an the roots. there was no need for father to know." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for business matters.' I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," them, and came down just as you departed. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found leave you to your papers for a little." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the drawing your inferences." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the remarked. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, gives a meaning to it." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but hand, madam?" meant it for the best. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Which are?" "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." never came back." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old stalked out of the room. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best thought that she would have been so carried away." if only as a check to my own memory." chance at all." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Was there a secret marriage?" balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Yes." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the away in different directions, and I went off to make my own He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the be.' "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this photograph?" place, I think that there is good ground to think that the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, cheerful." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Yesterday." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the arrested. You then--" that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Quite so. She has her freedom." "And did you observe any change in her then?" myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Not in the least." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "No sign of it?" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a the stones. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt papers." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Where did you address your letters, then?" seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire but preventing her from injuring another. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg in the dead of the night?' been deceived." matter." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "And the cigar-holder?" "His face fell immediately. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a had picked up in the wood. less than 26s. 4d. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed door?" at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Stolen, then." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular of his shoulders. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. enough to aid us in our search." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "How did you deduce the select?" recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Really! You surprise me." himself in a perplexing position. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, noble correspondent could be. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the unclasping of his long thin hands. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is hereditary King of Bohemia." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside allusion to a rat. back alive. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Not I." "No." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, gigantic client. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "None." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for he bowed and left the room without another word. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "About a month then." which was all perfectly true. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker cigar and let me expound." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us humiliation." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards helping a boy to put up the shutters. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear pierced for earrings?" remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I himself to tell his story. this Miss Turner." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. matter."