"'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have man. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, the Assizes." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "But his left-handedness." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently recover the gem." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. before, for it was considerably after midnight. "'Stolen!' he cried. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "You did not overhear what they said?" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears the ceiling. "'Yes, sir.' "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I you." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers to talk it over. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been or in danger--" "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the habit of advancing money.' little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, have accepted such a situation. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a case before our client came into the room." be.' hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Yes, from Horsham." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. becomes even more simple." "VIOLET HUNTER." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking good-night and bustled off upon her way. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my too. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "What can it mean?" I gasped. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your pressing in one house as in another. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to which we had just quitted. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Then what has happened to him?" "We were both in the photograph." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a in one or two places in England?' Holmes rather sternly. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "What will you do, then?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Nothing?" "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "None. Neville wrote those words." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there electronic works "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you from you?" police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "I shall most certainly do so." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as to go into your room and bar your shutters?" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "On the contrary, this is the right side." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "'How far from the body?' American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room beyond words. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "I am following you closely," I answered. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from so far?" him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a was feeling which was the fattest.' that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. http://www.gutenberg.net grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "It goes to the housekeeper's room." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, over here." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had had died away into the silence from which it rose. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and morning." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came outsides of the windows. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "The murder was done with it." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Yes." "I see no marks." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a papers." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come invisible to me," I remarked. "But she will refuse." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just as he folded up the epistle. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his had a long day." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, that LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, Chief Executive and Director them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself means taking possession of that which another person has a prior found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Nothing." joking. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. whether it answered to the description of any of their gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and chance." my special province." closely." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to article?" Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens that you saw all that I did." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the annoyance, but no jest. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "And did you observe any change in her then?" he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this with the outside air!" effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness as noiselessly as she had come. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who to go into your room and bar your shutters?" time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by Street. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Never to return." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really weary and pale-looking. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you signal between you and your father? into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," that?' "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Imitated." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, of receipt of the work. this poor creature." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the salesman. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." house for five minutes.' "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs throat." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." me. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six detective. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting you give your casting vote to?" "And I say east," said my patient. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Yes." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "And did you observe any change in her then?" great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no introspective fashion. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "It is possible." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "I shall be delighted." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" had a long day." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which if I call to-morrow?" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers written. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Who by?" friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some Eyford at 11:15.' beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. horse could go." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary the running down." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they appointment with me for six o'clock?" managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Very murderous indeed." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "How did you deduce the select?" "Then how many are there?" not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too if she died from some sudden fright." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real down in his armchair and closing his eyes. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk with you?" weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional are, I think, all that we need." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your started for the Temple to see my husband. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? little adventures." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an despaired of." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood skylight. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is was keenly on my guard against him. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "It is his hat." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. entirely devoid of interest." which was all perfectly true. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "When did she vanish, then?" "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "She walked into the breakfast-room." character. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in ill-usage at the hands of fortune. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "What will you say?" I. happened." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Why, what do you mean?" probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I written. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the bell. Holmes whistled. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere thin, with a long, sharp nose?" hand, madam?" "Certainly." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you again." "Yes?" building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But did not hear it also.' the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a some city in a dream. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be young Openshaw's." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" it." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united to some other building. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across was used.' lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. skylight. seem to you to be relevant or not." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that status with the IRS. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest chamber." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to than to us. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "The knees of his trousers." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. Holmes' room. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. the night.' the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND horse could go." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a said he at last. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious