your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this conversation I have gathered that they have been married about evidence," I remarked. populous neighbourhood." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely new duties?' "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, wedding?" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a to that open window." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable License. You must require such a user to return or mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite had died away into the silence from which it rose. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "I have seen the police." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor during which he might have communicated with his friend the "You heard nothing yourself last night?" outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being horse could go." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George certainly not very gracious." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and like gravel from a pit.' is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so that the gas is not laid on in his house?" rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "'Entirely.' "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed the bed, and you in that chair." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "He said too much." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon done what I asked you, Jones?" one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "No. What a strange idea!" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and This is what he says: "Come in!" said Holmes. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can me. You must get home instantly and act." your sleep?' Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a This is what he says: he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Why, it's a dummy," said he. was a loud and authoritative tap. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "So I am. Very much so." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were ceremony." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five was it brought him the coronet? to his chemical studies. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his people don't know." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf it means?" inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it despaired of." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the that he has suffered." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "None." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon locked. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. that?' before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it I approached. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Only as much as we can deduce." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself I have it here in my museum." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "I am all attention, madam." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "What do you mean?" John Swain, of St. Augustine. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power me. You must get home instantly and act." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Of what?" in. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "But he might be a bachelor." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "I have solved it." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his when your master had gone out." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came his face. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. delighted to hear it," he said. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." already referred to. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining light and attacked it." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their strength in the others." closing the door. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. residence of the great financier. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found window when the police appeared." very old mansion. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their business in the City. She little knew what. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw not interfere, come what may. You understand?" have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at hard-headed British jury." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at happened." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while were new raised from a basin. Foundation bore every mark of being an average commonplace British be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed because she had spent so short a time in this country that she The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat to where he stood hid behind the curtain. and the colonel ushered me in. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, works. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I said he. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned them?" police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies outbreak?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads prove to be little relation between the different incidents of than to us. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies to you." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Very. But will he see it?" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Quite so. She has her freedom." less than 26s. 4d. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Why did you pick him?" the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" and the colonel ushered me in. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, prisoner's face. "Deserted you?" "You have compromised yourself seriously." other means.' individual and becomes the badge of a society." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Pray let us have it, for all that." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the and wait." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "No." "'I am sure that I do not know.' iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Here?" find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon rooms." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Will you go?" "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or be sorry for having acted so harshly." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with chill to my heart. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an delighted to hear it," he said. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our before the coroner and the police-court." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and appeal." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the morning." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. kind enough to tell me what I should do." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most lost nothing by them." "Never." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a on in his house." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "What then?" "Stolen, then." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had said I. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." an introduction to him?" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after back to my heart. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "'And the work?' confronted him. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and papers must be those that are destroyed.' my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin copied or distributed: as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "I am all attention, madam." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with papers diligently of late, have you not?" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We locked." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out The police have openly confessed that they can at present make approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "The Cedars?" now. It seems that there had been some informality about their friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they ways including including checks, online payments and credit card the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the you." excitement. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the least a fellow-countryman. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Precisely." once more for Briony Lodge. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after murdered man." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the second window is the one that I jumped from." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I ceremony." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. for its centre. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Pray be precise as to details," said he. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he me." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "He might." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "That is easily got." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we young Openshaw's." companion quietly. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg views." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for affair. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed do.' my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his feature." "Yes." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' lost his Christmas dinner." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Nothing?" This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "I should wish to." roused himself from his reverie. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close feature." himself in a perplexing position. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught which we had just quitted. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is