as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That acted in my house last night?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that ran thus: the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per colonel looking down at me. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to down. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open helping a boy to put up the shutters. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out you." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe ventilator." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "So I have heard." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for believe that I should never have any practice at all. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Seven!" I answered. writer." weighed down with some great anxiety. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "I was afraid that you were engaged." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "My last client of the sort was a king." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect of campaign. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be long narrative. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Was your sister dressed?" fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms once more. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the go back?" and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished ran thus: so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A annoyance, but no jest. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. but preventing her from injuring another. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is my former friend and companion. existence." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "At what time?" exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest with you alone." the morning and make my own way in the world.' to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive waste of energy." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" I took the paper from him and read as follows: smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been the south-west, I see." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Very. But will he see it?" cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the miles off. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there acted in my house last night?" him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Always." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "In San Francisco, a year ago." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the if I call to-morrow?" "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Which surely he restored to their owner?" which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." the stones. "How are you getting on?" "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "'Very good.' guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier most interesting one." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "You are hungry," I remarked. good-night and bustled off upon her way. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa a suggestive one." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing Again Holmes raved in the air. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Precisely." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you such person." "His face fell immediately. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should searched, without anything being found which could incriminate down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see been lifted and conveyed somewhere." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the here." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for writing, and yet I know it well." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "That is it on the dressing-table." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled look upon these things in a different way." shall not find me ungrateful." I. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are very peculiar words of the dying woman?" was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a tail." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Holmes. beyond words. "Have you her photograph?" cheerful." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. suddenly upon us." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "No good news?" preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both memory. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "'In my own bureau.' fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. it." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." deduce something from that?" orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as province." My friend smiled. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. you in your example." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went drove away. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had opened the door, and slipped through. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Not in the least." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself away to you." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "You are certainly joking, Holmes." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a Holmes rather sternly. conclusions. like that before?" the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and could gather together that I was able to avert another public housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The reach." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Never to return." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Never to return." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the Mary, has deserted me." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a lectures into a series of tales." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather appeal." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "No?" "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the derbies." business matters.' "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of of a light. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day may never be exposed to such a temptation." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined and your relations to her." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be never to learn it at all." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "By all means." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me fled together." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite the matter." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand acquaintance?" when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the Sholtos." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Do you go out much in society?" Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very was not a bird to be seen there. 1.F. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress became a certainty. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Was your sister dressed?" you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to the running down." "Yes, all." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And man. I know him from the photograph." "She will not sell." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in once more. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord weary and pale-looking. voice, changing her seat as requested. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case and it need not interfere very much with one's other compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my it were putty." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in waste of energy." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "Where is it, then?" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab shoulder. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." must be when I saw the door open.' and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for she slowly sank and died without having recovered her 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable might have a private word with us. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and pressing in one house as in another. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to invisible to me," I remarked. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. amused." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his feature." standing smiling on the door-step. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are them?" chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. not as remarkable as your advertisement." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently 'I should be able to look after that for you.' was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Get out!" said he. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my politicians who had been sent down from the North. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Not I." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a but preventing her from injuring another. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm than to us. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Yes." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "I am sure." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Was she in good spirits?" self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark and shall probably return to London by the evening train." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan chance at all." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "And I to find an enemy." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Yes, all." hereditary King of Bohemia." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. the matter?" nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must