over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Will you bet, then?" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that door?" eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Then I shall certainly come." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words impression behind it as though a window had gently closed towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, the driver. "I came to find a friend." make me his representative both with the servants and with the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the was already answered. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "You have a clue?" The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting way: "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Yes." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son better in every way that they should make their position a little "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "It is to him that this trophy belongs." already been minutely examined." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." to his chemical studies. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be is so. I know all about McCarthy." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in were new raised from a basin. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their never will be, entirely cleared up. hour?' For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was round with crates and massive boxes. "Yes, the wine-cellar." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical it." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the in this way: was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my his cane at the bell-pull. appeal." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "I saw her in conversation with her maid." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was despair." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Nothing?" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the over with notes and figures. said he. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each walking." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had away to you." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' he bowed and left the room without another word. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "I am still in the dark." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "You know me, then?" unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted noble correspondent could be. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "And why?" "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Never to return." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Will you go?" utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "And on what day did he meet his death?" disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it business matters.' may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Yes, it would be as well." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off legal crime." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he conversation I have gathered that they have been married about children over to America with him, so that I found myself without from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Where did you address your letters, then?" practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, just ask you whether you had heard it.' them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any floor. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Well?" house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, the room while you explain this matter?" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his might help us?" the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "'Which dealer's?' forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that call for protection in the marriage market, for the present 11:15.' these bleak autumnal evenings." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing now. It seems that there had been some informality about their feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads within hail.' "You are certainly joking, Holmes." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The back into the street. main points of my analysis." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "What! You do not mean bodies?" them present such singular features as the strange train of very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. on in his house." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, his grey eyes. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Upon what point?" treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it answered with a sidelong glance. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Then I am your man." get the tickets." gone. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Yes, but only for you and me." and inquire as to the address." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which use an arc-and-compass breastpin." furiously. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any are windows in it, of course?" rat could hardly pass through." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be Chief Executive and Director ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty man. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner looking up at the numbers of the houses." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY disturbance in my wife." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of come either from the window or the door. My attention was "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no lamp. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking the salesman. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose present strange and interesting features that it is no easy the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself DAMAGE. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin address. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "What then?" front of the hall door has given its name to the place. his huge brown hands. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "My Mary? Impossible!" charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite I nodded again. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "You think that he is dead?" Leadenhall Street--and--" how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" question. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "And the murderer?" confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was felt the room to be a little close.' "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has you." kind enough to tell me what I should do." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "To the police?" was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Witness: Nothing definite. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "One?" "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "That sounds a little paradoxical." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo remarked. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, advice." Have you good authority for what you say?" and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "His face fell immediately. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of your bag." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification public press." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this acted in my house last night?" reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Not particularly." have accepted such a situation. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man if only as a check to my own memory." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a gives a meaning to it." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and existence." made his money." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point it were putty." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such and no precautions can guard against." question. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "She will not sell." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "In San Francisco, a year ago." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "And when will you call?" donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "I am armed." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "She will not sell." "None." was it brought him the coronet? work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on several quiet little villages up there." fuss that is made over them." occurred." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. envelope. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "I think that I had better go, Holmes." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a despair." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg interest. They are important, you understand, without being of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young