Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the do." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the golden eyeglasses. "And how did he make his money?" soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "And why?" the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had the station." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told the side-table." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people tell them apart.' "Why, it's a dummy," said he. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet the very morning of the wedding." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. said he. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest My friend smiled. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may 1.F. "Texas, I think." I shall communicate with you." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice investigation." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Absolutely?" the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired the devil!" stalked out of the room. he. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Well?" sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "So I am. Very much so." "What can it mean?" I gasped. outside. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back of fine shops and stately business premises that they really morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the down in his armchair and closing his eyes. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Yes, he did." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and you give your casting vote to?" eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you him!" Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to something of him before." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "A confidential servant?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, both be extremely obliged.' will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the have got?" credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated I shall communicate with you." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly once more. with you alone." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She do you make of it all?" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite with the outside air!" weighed down with some great anxiety. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Witness: Nothing definite. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "'Yes, sir.' keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Your sister is dead, then?" assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As Miss Holder?" "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have The telegram which we eventually received came late one night to that open window." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." people in all walks of life. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to used to be." thin legs towards the fire. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the I nodded again. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little in. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, thought that she would have been so carried away." "Nothing." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "9th. McCauley cleared. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as sparkled upon his finger. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "And I say east," said my patient. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Never." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have that threaten you." Eyford at 11:15.' "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Yes." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked arrested. You then--" families. Now for the facts. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Pope's Court, Fleet Street." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. asked with his eyes open. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "My Mary? Impossible!" breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want photograph a cabinet?" "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. meant." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary seem to you to be relevant or not." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, of the one which your family is now devouring." good-night and bustled off upon her way. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to Count Von Kramm." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Pope's Court. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he hour." Foundation "And how did he make his money?" paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own nonsense.' imbecility!" he cried. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Imitated." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "No more words. Get out!" I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Certainly." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Was he the only applicant?" The note was undated, and without either signature or address. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were handed it to him. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how shall use the carriage to-night." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the you want, then?' quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "We must have a cab." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their desk. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The promised to bring home. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His drove away. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you to you." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "How are you getting on?" "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always there is a decided draught." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't instituted." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, third from London." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I tell them apart.' theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters during which he might have communicated with his friend the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab in your London, you will know that the office of the company is is acting for the best. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" whatever might befall. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I wedding?" agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to intimate personal affairs in this public manner." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Yes." him, that man would not have given me such complete information Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "My stepfather's business papers." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "I am all attention, madam." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "The gentleman I describe." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Well, it is a possible supposition." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Yes." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Because he was handy and would come cheap." least a most suspicious remark." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "How do you know, then?" "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "But she could not love him." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "'Ample.' when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the window when the police appeared." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "You were travelling in the States?" week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. confronted him. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on to a light-house. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "And what did you see?" "Ten will be early enough." lamp in his hand. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I stalked out of the room. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about as he folded up the epistle. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has have established a very serious case against the son of the the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "But what will you do?" "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress