of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in I leave." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Yes. He waved his hands." done what I asked you, Jones?" taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." think that he is innocent?" the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen photograph?" evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers pictures, libraries, or plate. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood directors, with the result that you have seen." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "I don't believe it." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue upon the white wrist. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my once more. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with guilty parties." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp of it with the greatest attention. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set emerged. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back matter." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "What, then?" "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, closely." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "What! a murderous attack?" as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Yes." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Then you may be so with me." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "ARAT," I read. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "I don't believe it." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and the one as in the other." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "I cannot tell." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault easy-going way." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my main points of my analysis." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time there!' commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy appointment with me for six o'clock?" half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "I have solved it." advice." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is village inn over there?" it." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "What steps will you take?" I asked. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction Surrey." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the shall not find me ungrateful." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "I should wish to." I am not easy in my mind about them." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "He slept on the premises." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared walking." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Did he not advertise?" snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a for and were ordered to this address. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two matter." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for to change my dress. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon mystery." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I prison!" error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "It's nothing of the kind." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of are windows in it, of course?" conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his disappearance of these gems?" a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "I was afraid that you were engaged." already referred to. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. is four-and-twenty." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." 1.F. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had nice household for a young lady." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Eh? What was that?" "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "But I am all in the dark." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "'I shall certainly be there.' half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little in the hope of finding them." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: tightly behind him. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' them?" photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." are, and they are waiting for us." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my look dissatisfied." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other never will be, entirely cleared up. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out when you have done it." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a light and attacked it." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, it. "Never to return." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "I guessed as much." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know who was a member of your goose club." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." Munro.' "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely said I. suspect him." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. highly," said Holmes. with some details as to your case." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. any little problem which you may submit to me." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "What then?" moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss rose-bushes. man. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." learned something! Where are the gems?" "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Upon what point?" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. photograph a cabinet?" arrangements." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "My Mary? Impossible!" "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We call for protection in the marriage market, for the present of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with your troubles." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being John Swain, of St. Augustine. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to never will be, entirely cleared up. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Yes." despaired of." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Precisely." any little problem which you may submit to me." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Deserted you?" him to go away.' surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "When did she vanish, then?" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "We have tried and failed." way in." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be hardly wander." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon away to you." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it six. Come in!" have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition over with notes and figures. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows fishes. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There knowledge of the world." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, lamp in his hand. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I good-night and bustled off upon her way. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be looking up at the numbers of the houses." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the fuss that is made over them." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an and wait." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel when your master had gone out." indeed happy." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me But Holmes shook his head gravely. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is served to weaken the effect. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Did he not advertise?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one jewels which you have stolen?' The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her with some details as to your case." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange house for five minutes.' unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the up this clue while it is still hot." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 His name is Francis Prosper." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It discontent upon his features. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the had this final quarrel? home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first round and wave him away like that.' forebodings. beg that you will break it off." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "'It is locked up,' I answered. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that directly by questioning you." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by particular state visit http://pglaf.org were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment felt the room to be a little close.' - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Perhaps I have." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Pray do so." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Very. But will he see it?" life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, I shall communicate with you." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, your troubles." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,'