and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "On the contrary, this is the right side." once more. "In what way?" asked Holmes. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from questionable one." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." unclasping of his long thin hands. there in twenty minutes." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised forehead. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), main points of my analysis." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring himself to hunt down. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold fish-monger and a tide-waiter." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "What have you done?" asked Holmes. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "'What do you call purely nominal?' has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "I see no marks." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant foresight and the moral retrogression?" closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "One?" "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "That sounds a little paradoxical." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "VIOLET HUNTER." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my footfalls from the street. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "And how?" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I upon a handsome competence. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. business at Coburg Square is serious." "And you can do nothing until then?" pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "But I am all in the dark." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax careless servant girl?" A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of she has been waylaid. There has been no result." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a would apply.' muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Then he might have called to you?" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into you?' "So it appears." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Dark enough and sinister enough." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "It is to him that this trophy belongs." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Why did you beat the pavement?" to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her future lives." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of dear old homesteads?" know all about it," he snarled. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Perhaps I have." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our possible that we could bring him back to her? "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the compunction about shooting them down." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and of the way of danger. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "No legal papers or certificates?" treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ God! What an exposure! What can I do?" was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "In what way?" asked Holmes. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having existence." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked My friend smiled. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "How can you tell that?" "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." you came in." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "And your father? Did you tell him?" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The pictures, libraries, or plate. gone. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Dark enough and sinister enough." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely disappearance of these gems?" of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at at home. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "I say that I have solved it." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Yes, sir." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than case-book, which he consulted. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we maiden herself was most instructive." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much him!" until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "It certainly sounds feasible." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "How often?" say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than despair." it." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Witness: I must still refuse. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after orange pips. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Two days later this same performance was gone through under their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter sake, don't!" Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "And your father? Did you tell him?" the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of husband's writing, madam." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "'It is locked up,' I answered. generous with you in money matters.' before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you himself. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one had died away into the silence from which it rose. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy had this final quarrel? "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" was lame." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and forehead. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out later, upon the night of May 2nd." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Yes." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than said I. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain not personally threatened." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of the coroner come to?" Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my writers could invent nothing more crude." is now desirous of getting those letters back." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy lamp. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Of Friday, June 19th." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "By no means." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we night.' said he. "What! Had he lost his wife?" You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." the bottom.' just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down fait accompli?" circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both that I can to serve you." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. indiscretion." happened." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "'Yes, sir.' swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with is a common subject for conversation. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "And Miss Sutherland?" calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 outside." desk. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that entirely devoid of interest." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "And I say east," said my patient. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something desk. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "One of the highest in England." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Your sister is dead, then?" I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through nothing of it?" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I footfalls from the street. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "I shall most certainly do so." you in your example." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." drove away. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the wife's character?" the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our writers could invent nothing more crude." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Did you become engaged then?" letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This fat-encircled eyes. matter." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project to take care of herself." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "By no means." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of get the tickets." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the formed some opinion?" Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "I saw her in conversation with her maid." For additional contact information: Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "My dear Holmes!" possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the in a friendly supper." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, that you wished to speak to me?' have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's is worth.' "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "I cannot say that I have." "Yes, the wine-cellar." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "My dear Holmes!" upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in of this gang." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood kind enough to tell me what I should do." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Yes." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." hopeless attempt at recovering them." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "'Very good.' "It was." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your galvanised. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no his eyes and forehead. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your to that open window." drove away. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "You have it, sir, just as it happened." occurred." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the neither fascinating nor artistic." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe http://www.gutenberg.net "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. had a long day." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, hard-headed British jury." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with ashen face. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number vault. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "I have solved it." "A thing like a cleaver," said he.