what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, will be renamed. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" compunction about shooting them down." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "And your father? Did you tell him?" down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in one of them." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial floor. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and present." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." helping a boy to put up the shutters. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not gone. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "I answered that I had not. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of question," said Holmes, smiling. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from hopeless attempt at recovering them." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' could gather together that I was able to avert another public it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my few hundred pounds.' one of the states of the Union." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should again, where I was soon asleep. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a Lee, in the county of Kent." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was prison!" "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he did not hear it also.' he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in in a friendly supper." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Bought." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide neither fascinating nor artistic." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "'Stolen!' he cried. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Yes, it was twisted." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "That is unusual in a young girl." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "I will do it." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Yes." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. how narrow had been my escape. "'Never.' flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew be sorry for having acted so harshly." digesting their breakfasts at home." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "You have the photograph?" "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may the room while you explain this matter?" prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm in a very precise fashion." the side-table." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be to some other building. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here assist you in forming an opinion." hand, madam?" "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into to miss it." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "It came here." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself himself to hunt down. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear the matter?" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to the Friday. Was it to be in church?" jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "I have a cab outside." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a of Mr. Rucastle's." forebodings. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or held up the lantern and gazed about him. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and respectable self." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his me. You must get home instantly and act." Holmes' thin, eager face. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I Sutherland?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the your own bird, so if you wish--" black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and than to us. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." leave you to your papers for a little." is," said he presently: there." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, experiences." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' of it with the greatest attention. you for a few hours?" the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, there." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. London for the present?" were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing families. Now for the facts. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by you do it in twenty minutes!' he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was works. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly ordinary clothes on?" house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. daring than any effort of the imagination." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering could go. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Yes, he did." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her in. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Certainly, madam." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Yes, it would be as well." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "But what will you do?" beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and impression behind it as though a window had gently closed this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little particular state visit http://pglaf.org the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as even so self-evident a thing as that." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their outside." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "'Stolen!' he cried. even of instruction." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "No good news?" with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." you for a few hours?" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being me upon any point which I do not make clear." affair. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such which we had just quitted. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very she used." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced companion imperturbably. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding flock.' "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Then you may be so with me." so far?" chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." one which it was hard to resist. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the leaning back in his chair. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "No." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "By no means." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the manager. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable an introduction to him?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The is worth.' the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, colour had been driven from his face. hardly wander." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Dirty?" question," said Holmes, smiling. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few forehead. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked the best of training." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my lamp in his hand. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "On the contrary, this is the right side." plantation.' with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Pray do so." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "'What do you call purely nominal?' Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." it." which are rolled in Rotterdam." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others Pool. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my seem to you to be relevant or not." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she and the church but not where the lady lived." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "But to whom?" constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me must compliment you." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have experiences." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade that, and I came down." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "'Stolen!' he cried. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "'Not at all. I only doubt--' cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "This photograph!" education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "Oh, fresh and glossy." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "To an English lawyer named Norton." "What, then?" papers must be those that are destroyed.' along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." again, where I was soon asleep. several quiet little villages up there." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just is worth.'