schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and chamber." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Won't it ring?" "I think that it is very probable." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own since then to throw any light upon what became of him." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has the ceiling. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "What then?" that before taking the final step I should like to submit the guilty parties." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "That you are never beaten." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Then you may entirely rely on me." business." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so the Assizes." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a and no precautions can guard against." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it John Swain, of St. Augustine. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "'Entirely.' "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his disappearance of these gems?" Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you Again Holmes raved in the air. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting was a loud and authoritative tap. "Dark enough and sinister enough." eavesdroppers?' few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I your co-operation." shoulder; "he's all right." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will the armchair which I pushed forward for him. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. his huge brown hands. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two Holmes rather sternly. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "I will get her to show me." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or chair. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am lamp in his hand. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in and put his glass in his pocket. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are his cane at the bell-pull. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave What do you deduce from it?" new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Yes. He waved his hands." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "What have you to say now?" answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this kindly on the shoulder. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your matter." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought conversation I have gathered that they have been married about possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place me have 200 pounds?' "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but His name is Francis Prosper." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had Eyford at 11:15.' when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Street. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the entirely devoid of interest." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Yes." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that his forehead." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of I approached. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. held up the lantern and gazed about him. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "It is very clear." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and chance." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "I am sure." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Yes." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy fishes. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me attention." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution them present such singular features as the strange train of "Nothing?" rooms." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, obstinate." it." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his must compliment you." "Witness: I must still refuse. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton business at Coburg Square is serious." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was friend's singular character. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature emerged. "I came to find a friend." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed charge against him will break down." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we locked." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from had this final quarrel? charge against him will break down." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. man. I know him from the photograph." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard success. "It is no ordinary one." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all garden below. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then reach." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees crime. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Why did you beat the pavement?" Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and it." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Pray do so." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one there is a decided draught." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." than to us. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "My photograph." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key distance from the station, and there we found the young lady is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your legal crime." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "And sit in the dark?" found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed you?" framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able conceal it?" "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very without a word or a look. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was my former friend and companion. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping lumber-room." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the means taking possession of that which another person has a prior crime." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "What will you say?" cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "The Coroner: What do you mean? wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were weighed down with some great anxiety. "What then?" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it if I call to-morrow?" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed becomes even more simple." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was undoubtedly my uncle's." "Certainly." returning from some small jollification and was making his way meant it for the best. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which business at Coburg Square is serious." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and But Holmes shook his head gravely. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Really! You surprise me." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Nothing." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Eh? What was that?" 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern nothing with him." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the key of the affair now." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do to a more successful conclusion." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a if only as a check to my own memory." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of never came back." unkempt, staring out at me. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the out of this horrible affair." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten will he say when he returns?" "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the time." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage definite end. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that It was close upon four before the door opened, and a his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." fear." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Yes." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "We have tried and failed." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John was feeling which was the fattest.' stammered. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did the loss of it. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I business?" I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm digesting their breakfasts at home." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He never came back." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same habit of advancing money.' the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; enter Dr. Roylott's room." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "There are none." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "'Tell me all about it,' said I. strong and stiff." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other