'83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Entirely." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that 'please.'" of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to and looked back. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." cigars in their mouths. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by fish-monger and a tide-waiter." weighed down with some great anxiety. matters immensely." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and good for you to do.' of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw papers on the sundial.'" scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" shoulder; "he's all right." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each taking in every detail of the apartment. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "So it appears." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "I never have." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an sofa. This way, please!" in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "How did you trace it, then?" "Indeed! Whose, then?" purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Yes." into the bag, and made for the door. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "No, my brougham is waiting." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Can I be of assistance?" why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a certainly not very gracious." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "Have you it here?" thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Where, then?" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. with her." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Not him." someone who had been in Australia." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray a little more before I quite committed myself. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. that I am arrested." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other him nearly every evening." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but imbecility!" he cried. man. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely gbnewby@pglaf.org feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made everything which you would wish to know." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little will not take me long to tell. "Who was the criminal, then?" "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my visitors." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "'Certainly,' I answered. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is guilty parties." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, recover the gem." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about is four-and-twenty." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be lips." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend But Holmes shook his head gravely. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." me have 200 pounds?' burst out into a roar of laughter. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away extraordinary contortions. the little opening for the ventilator is." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save really the only notable feature about the thing." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, thought that she would have been so carried away." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "By train from Waterloo." happened." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "A greater distance to travel." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now appointment with me for six o'clock?" we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but ordinary clothes on?" slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the you?" into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered begun to whiten, even as mine has." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my hour." despair." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew sparkled upon his finger. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "You are all wrong." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, country, and eventually married, without anyone having a minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "I will get her to show me." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "I would pay ten." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "I promise," said Holmes. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your point our research must commence, and we will begin it by been deceived." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was to have that photograph." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "What I expected to see." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours crackling voice. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had it." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long legal crime." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Then I am your man." outside." persecution?" time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa know that the truth is known." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "By no means." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as to a more successful conclusion." overpowering excitement and concern. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall Heh?' gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and invisible to me," I remarked. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of The events in question occurred in the early days of my His smile broadened. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small prepare for the new role I have to play." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give during the last few years, and there are many noble families to donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the in the port of London." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the Henry Baker is a member." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Then you may be so with me." "And Miss Sutherland?" through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon it." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "I see no marks." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." a good hundred miles off by now." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's carpenter." "Yes, all." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular have got?" been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life appointment with me for six o'clock?" your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "An accident, I presume?" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Where did you address your letters, then?" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored of campaign. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal outside." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have held up the lantern and gazed about him. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? some water from a caraffe. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage that you saw all that I did." works. See paragraph 1.E below. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's had this final quarrel? it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." to some other building. used to be." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think maiden herself was most instructive." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. we went to search for him, face downward in a little though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon has little to do with my story." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" strode off upon his way. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with place of silver." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his face and glided from the room. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that been lifted and conveyed somewhere." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his a very grave face. questioning and rather startled gaze. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "And how?" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is Arthur Conan Doyle "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to as he folded up the epistle. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted business came to an end." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "I promise," said Holmes. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, conclusions. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "But it has twice been burgled." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he simple cases which are so extremely difficult." up this clue while it is still hot." against a man in the prime of life?" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised brought there to personate someone, and the real person is classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but chemical work which was so dear to him. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until meant." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is information in his hands the value of which he did not himself Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, quickly through a disagreeable task. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, Leadenhall Street--and--" see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. fait accompli?" wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Always." advice." gbnewby@pglaf.org "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "No more words. Get out!" clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, excitement. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "No more words. Get out!" "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of certainly do as you advise." dead, shall be safe with us." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Did your wife hear all this?" "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the whereabouts. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big geese which you supplied to the Alpha." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort he bowed and left the room without another word. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "I think that I had better go, Holmes." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint eat it." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the that you saw all that I did." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." humiliation." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will in. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high