1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth fait accompli?" Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "I will try. What is it?" shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have and the colonel ushered me in. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Then the page we have seen--" International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She your only hope of safety." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical once more for Briony Lodge. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "And how have you succeeded?" of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back ran thus: habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid unclasping of his long thin hands. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "At what time?" the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, and your relations to her." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "She told me to ask you." "'Where could I find him?' passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "'Yes, it was gone.' reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive help us in this matter." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a mysterious end." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Nearly eleven." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "'Oh, no.' doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Holmes' room. never came back." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose galvanised. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the second window is the one that I jumped from." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very rooms." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria I think that I could be of assistance to you." for the market.' "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "I saw her in conversation with her maid." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Deserted you?" own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "The knees of his trousers." be best to do. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, rose-bushes. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my ill-usage at the hands of fortune. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "VIOLET HUNTER." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & young Openshaw's." "No good news?" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very strength." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were his wife has ceased to love him." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything searched, without anything being found which could incriminate all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of most important business. It is probable that he will be away all bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going Eyford at 11:15.' sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "I was sure that I might rely on you." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt wedding?" her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of success. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "And Irene Adler?" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter the loss of it. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, guilty one." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Stolen." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, business came to an end." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he to some other building. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls attention." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "And help." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' to his chemical studies. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." tapping his fingers upon the table. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended rose-bushes. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a outsides of the windows. "Precisely." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "This concluded the examination of the witness." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a Count Von Kramm." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Yes." "Absolutely none." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm least a most suspicious remark." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their suggested at once that there must be a communication between the stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Why did you pick him?" "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door power." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was occurred." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Yes, but only for you and me." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his lectures into a series of tales." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate of your young ladies.' opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where voice. to-night." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. question. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so crime. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "It goes to the housekeeper's room." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm through." place no limit on the sum I may draw." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which figure." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you The King stared at him in amazement. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but this man was intellectual?" fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Certainly." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I my friend's incisive reasoning. and your relations to her." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "I am still in the dark." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I away in different directions, and I went off to make my own are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is shaken than I had ever seen him. stepfather?" are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I bare slabs of marble. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open question," said Holmes, smiling. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you chemical work which was so dear to him. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger seem to you to be relevant or not." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, mysterious business." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up himself. habit of advancing money.' that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "No." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, the matter." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "I will get her to show me." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the what is your own theory as to what took place?" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save I shall continue with my miserable story. to me. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Yes, there are nearly always some there." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. which we had just quitted. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, least a most suspicious remark." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "And how did you find out?" eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "But we can't all be." soul! here is her carriage at the door." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had would apply.' threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us tightly behind him. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Very truly yours, turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in weary and pale-looking. "Certainly." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' suggested at once that there must be a communication between the was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I door?" "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of young Openshaw's." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, he bowed and left the room without another word. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "None." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who to tackle the facts." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "No." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "But his lameness?" "Yes." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Dr. Becher's." only touch the interest." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "I cannot tell." "What office?" nice household for a young lady." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an business in the City. She little knew what. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself must compliment you." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. hopeless attempt at recovering them." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "'Never.' "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and individual and becomes the badge of a society." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that maid will bring up your coffee." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the case before our client came into the room." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "And now?" He raised his hand. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Do you know him?" hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Perfectly so." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague Clair, of Lee." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the business came to an end." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at of Mr. Rucastle's." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average closely." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Where to?" little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of open." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." know all about it," he snarled. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "I cannot say that I have." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All I held the little printed slip to the light. imbecility!" he cried. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith and glanced through. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. 1.E.9. reach."