strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. back into the street. thin legs towards the fire. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Eh? What was that?" bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "We have tried and failed." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most brought there to personate someone, and the real person is there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the or other trace. But how on earth--" "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we again, where I was soon asleep. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with that there was nothing in it, after all." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that peculiar to him. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Here?" the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "You horrify me!" fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." McCarthy's innocence. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very better in every way that they should make their position a little is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah of receipt of the work. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Dark enough and sinister enough." and that he would see to anything that turned up. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "And Irene Adler?" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off indeed which he could not unravel. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "You have the photograph?" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Entirely." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Indeed! Whose, then?" my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his that he has suffered." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I security.' said I. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was system of imprisonment?" burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project which it had come upon my father." "Will you go?" low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt some terrible trap for her." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which evidence," I remarked. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls I shall communicate with you." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Yes, sir." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "I know where it is." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the way: "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. not come at once?" "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the meanly of me." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded and capable of preserving a secret.' "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself joking. look dissatisfied." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that asked with his eyes open. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it as yours." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. indeed which he could not unravel. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to pity, because in other respects you would really have done very was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Where, then?" We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had nothing with him." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away if she died from some sudden fright." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Murdered?" deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his chambers. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Was your sister dressed?" to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered some city in a dream. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "So it appears." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a guilty one." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. to a light-house. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to was already answered. on in his house." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser papers." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Pray tell us what has happened to you." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "You have it, sir, just as it happened." For additional contact information: murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced walking." few hundred pounds.' "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. Holmes rather sternly. something of him before." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I reach." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. down. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, was not a bird to be seen there. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no breakfast." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all prison!" who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official once more to my work. London for the present?" "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "The King of Scandinavia." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Perfectly so." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love the ceiling. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We enter Dr. Roylott's room." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "'And the work?' give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard details should find their way into the papers. Inspector all?" and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed investigation." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "I should be immensely obliged to you." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It generous with you in money matters.' eat it." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than how narrow had been my escape. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "And leave your case unfinished?" she used." "She will not sell." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" go--none." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "I do." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, is worth.' thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I is four-and-twenty." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "In San Francisco, a year ago." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Then what has happened to him?" "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Was your sister dressed?" cigar and let me expound." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and it." events than those which have happened in my own family." a suggestive one." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own singular points about the case. What did the police think of the known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted one which it was hard to resist. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great works. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from comes from the middle window." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in outside." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. your room." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "It is half-past ten now." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "I don't believe it." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Certainly." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "You think that he is dead?" Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "But the mystery?" to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." in the hope of finding them." look dissatisfied." "'Quite sure, dad.' "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm I think that I could be of assistance to you." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything passage and a tap at the door. said he. way in." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I present." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Will you bet, then?" "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope looking up at the numbers of the houses." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is sake, don't!" week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the useful material for showing traces. The double line a little few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "One of the highest in England." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out lost his Christmas dinner." knowledge of the world." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor come either from the window or the door. My attention was drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." was lame." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. States. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it to some other building. possible that we could bring him back to her? he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty at a side door. and no precautions can guard against." "I do." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by it." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, impression behind it as though a window had gently closed her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's questionable one." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but with the outside air!" panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "You horrify me." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "You think so, too?" and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "They are typewritten," I remarked. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, seen the man in the road." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." been." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, national property. I was determined that the law should have its "And how did he make his money?" "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, Eyford." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to chemical work which was so dear to him. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with papers diligently of late, have you not?" like that before?" "Nothing." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "At the wedding breakfast." "What shall I do?" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be