surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are amused." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Yes." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the cost them two and thirty pounds." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these chance at all." at home. his eyes and forehead. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a like that before?" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that been." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. she might be summoned. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I Have you good authority for what you say?" "You horrify me." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange you understand?" Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have together. obstinate." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry even of instruction." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers chamber." "You did not overhear what they said?" "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "I beg pardon." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a in one or two places in England?' "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for something of him before." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her dead, shall be safe with us." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the friend's singular character. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" nothing of it?" a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "'What do you call purely nominal?' St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, it." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Whose house is it?" to a light-house. "So it appears." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it but preventing her from injuring another. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, husband's writing, madam." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "No more words. Get out!" "Was he the only applicant?" father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing gentleman's clothes. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one discontent upon his features. II. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most status with the IRS. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "And your mother is alive?" twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. the driver. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst and shall probably return to London by the evening train." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to bird I ate is country bred." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and sentimental considerations in the background which would induce the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Do you know him?" the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "'Yes, sir.' LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between to-night's adventure." "Ten will be early enough." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across salesman. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they voice. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a fuss that is made over them." "I would pay ten." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I jewels which you have stolen?' and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Do you know him?" becomes even more simple." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." foot. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "ARAT," I read. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "You were travelling in the States?" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But said I. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the drawing your inferences." affection." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is started for the Temple to see my husband. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That security.' For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Proceed, then." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "How do you know, then?" had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "What, then, did Peterson do?" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "'Never,' said I. you, my dear young lady?' I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the sound at heart." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to that you can jump it.' "And why?" "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Where, then?" "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is them?" deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. seem to you to be relevant or not." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money best detective that ever lived. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your brain must have something in it." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have overpowering excitement and concern. bare slabs of marble. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. neither fascinating nor artistic." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if tail." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to it." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line drove away. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" this unhappy family?" through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our which it had come upon my father." to affect your life." politicians who had been sent down from the North. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Dark enough and sinister enough." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran the iron safe, which he closed upon it. following enigmatical notices: red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was started for the Temple to see my husband. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter noise which awoke you from your sleep?" follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should opened the door, and slipped through. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, in this note: Edgeware Road. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on it." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my learned something! Where are the gems?" very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and seven miles from Eyford Station.' "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single nothing of it?" "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." Dr. Gregory B. Newby power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little have accepted such a situation. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the arrested. You then--" doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we the Red-headed League." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Come in!" said Holmes. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is the tragedy. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns instituted." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw clanging. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "There are none." them?" "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "I would give my fortune to have them back." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "How did that help you?" Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now lost nothing by them." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "'I am sure if I had known--' fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present hereditary King of Bohemia." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to was a perfect sample of the class. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in straightened it out again. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the house for five minutes.' two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own recover the gem." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End occupations.' dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Murdered?" to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord where she found matters as described by the last witness. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, one else, I think." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming awkward doing business with an alias." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Did your wife hear all this?" three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading second window is the one that I jumped from." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "An accident, I presume?" Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us photograph a cabinet?" hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "No." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another You want to know what became of those geese?" course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, society." with you alone." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the hands. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, thin legs towards the fire. Holmes rather sternly. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not this unhappy family?" "But what harm can there be in that?" the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, key turn in the lock." "You are hungry," I remarked. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the seven miles from Eyford Station.' interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The the driver. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." feature." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' with you alone." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was forehead. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town Holmes' room. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was strength of mind to control. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it