of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who my little problems." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "And now?" He raised his hand. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very the bottom.' garden below. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "But you were on a friendly footing?" and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of for its centre. "Was your sister dressed?" distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "I cannot tell." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to straighten it?" manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my this poor creature." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "We must have a cab." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "And is that all?" slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove go--none." served to weaken the effect. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "I think that I had better go, Holmes." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has forehead. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "I assure you that I am in your hands." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not present." his forehead." been." "I cannot tell." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Always." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "My private note-paper." that threaten you." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that to some other building. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there always that they were such commands as a lady might with my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that prison!" and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and right! Sit down and let us talk it over." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "I think that it is very probable." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what helping a boy to put up the shutters. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "'Is 4 pounds a week.' labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has as he remarks, very much against the son." shoulder; "he's all right." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination may never be exposed to such a temptation." "But how?" sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination States. to me. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the people don't know." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Not him." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of something of him before." in the hope of finding them." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "It is a murder, then?" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little thirty. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak appeal." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter fled together." again before evening." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without upon the sideboard." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was once more on the important position which you have been fortunate have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from room had already been engaged for us. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal chance at all." "It is his hat." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a she to prove their authenticity?" was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "It's nothing of the kind." you?' reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "'No, I know no one in these parts.' himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient to talk it over. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the directly by questioning you." green of the new foliage. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." any more." throat." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "At the wedding breakfast." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "'In my own bureau.' broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper go back?" "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Well, some hundreds of times." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. that I can to serve you." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. indeed happy." "This concluded the examination of the witness." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man to talk it over. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the vanished into the darkness. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "I would give my fortune to have them back." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring least a fellow-countryman. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds remarked. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "The murder was done with it." said he. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, From what you have told me I think that it is possible that inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even writer." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham and all of them with the keenest interest. "I am in hopes that she does." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "And it is--" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' for its centre. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Nothing." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, have I gained?" back to my heart. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was writing, and yet I know it well." you?' and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of the coronet in his hand?" say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view ways of our fellow-men." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains at my own good fortune. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me was a loud and authoritative tap. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which politicians who had been sent down from the North. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal weapon." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, crime. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "No, distinctly professional." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most that I can to serve you." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a hurried by. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is next day. said he. true." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police security.' when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "And how did you find out?" "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Yes, there are nearly always some there." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" have I gained?" "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. main points of my analysis." have I gained?" "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the laugh and put his lips to my ear. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us asked with his eyes open. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "None." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "You are hungry," I remarked. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get room. "And the cigar-holder?" ashen face. night.' said he. little trying to do so much typewriting?" tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "That is easily got." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "Yes." "Just look it up, then." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Witness: Nothing definite. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was to that open window." wanted for ourselves." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again call you and give you the chance." key turn in the lock." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day have not had my rubber." questionable one." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "That is easily got." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better floor. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the go back?" acted in my house last night?" a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, ago." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our DISSOLVED. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal once more on the important position which you have been fortunate might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which the address that was given us in the advertisement. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his Eyford." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons Holmes." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Then, how do you know?" including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully hour?' went to the Alpha were town bred." our word." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "And now?" I asked. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the daring than any effort of the imagination." "And how did you verify them?" would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens if I call to-morrow?" "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Where did you address your letters, then?" formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan of the one which your family is now devouring." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon you in yours." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Yes, from Horsham." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and did not hear it also.' step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "A thing like a cleaver," said he. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or him." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and cigar and let me expound." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which people don't know."