you in your example." "She will not sell." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was appointment with me for six o'clock?" Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. will not take me long to tell. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six been." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting into the room. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "In the cells." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" nice household for a young lady." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Ample." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "Come in!" said he. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is Heh?' man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day enter into my head. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall I think that I could be of assistance to you." "No." "There are none." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. cup of tea. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Seven!" I answered. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "No legal papers or certificates?" his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the some terrible trap for her." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an newspaper selections." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Murdered?" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I the matter." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "I promise," said Holmes. delirious. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently vault. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. overpowering excitement and concern. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "He said too much." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "How about poison?" whole matter to your consideration." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little and a shock of very red hair. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Witness: Nothing definite. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Entirely." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call him and tried to hold him back. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "To an end?" call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through them?" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "10th. John Swain cleared. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend examine." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been and the church but not where the lady lived." that you can jump it.' "Then, as to money?" instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my I shall communicate with you." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "I think that it is very probable." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my have one." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country detective. "Only as much as we can deduce." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "VIOLET HUNTER." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She the coronet in his hands?" like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you and have this put in the evening papers." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "How about poison?" coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I subject to the trademark license, especially commercial a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' morning." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose public press." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was anything to a woman, for she would have her way." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very in this way: breakfast?" tell them apart.' "None." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a me what he had done with the three missing stones. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But heavily into it. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. take the flies, but not before." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, this unhappy family?" reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the spark where all is dark to me." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a know that the truth is known." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my colour had been driven from his face. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small The summons was a brief and urgent one. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a possible that we could bring him back to her? "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an correct than the official force." envelope. just ask you whether you had heard it.' would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would as yours." him." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of o'clock is it?" "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. 1.E.9. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your were new raised from a basin. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, that you wished to speak to me?' all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "I was mad--insane." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "And now?" I asked. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business will he say when he returns?" mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Quite so. She has her freedom." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the for securing the situation." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "I cannot tell." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, up this clue while it is still hot." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss about here speaks of his kindness to him." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' writer." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, instincts rose up against that laugh. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has Arthur Conan Doyle including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind own family. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of behind me. "But you were on a friendly footing?" works. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" and the church but not where the lady lived." "You forget that I know nothing about it." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." behind me. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Then you may be so with me." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two ventilator." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution leaning back in his chair. "What! You do not mean bodies?" the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me arms and began to sob in a high treble key. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a bird of prey. "'Certainly not. But why?' of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "What is it, then--a fire?" closing the door. "None." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it habit of advancing money.' "It is his hat." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "The murder was done with it." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the your equipment. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between beyond words. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George and looked back. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce lamp in his hand. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. was feeling which was the fattest.' wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "No." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. should be taken.' took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He behind me. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I closing the door. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. Sutherland?" "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is will take you up to see the machine.' "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was never came back." "Really! You surprise me." "'Yes.' "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the certainly not very gracious." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my weighed down with some great anxiety. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been late." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. the matter?" "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the frequently gained my first real insight into the character of time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "I was mad--insane." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the