better in every way that they should make their position a little and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham several quiet little villages up there." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." room had already been engaged for us. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into some terrible trap for her." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Has he come with you to-night?" had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving to-night." husband's writing, madam." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "I was certainly surprised to find you there." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering depend upon your compliance." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in fat-encircled eyes. "Where to?" stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "You have it, sir, just as it happened." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet people in all walks of life. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, the stones. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from him. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "'Yes, it was gone.' rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a that you wished to speak to me?' his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "On the contrary, this is the right side." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his seen the man in the road." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we to miss it." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the behind me. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal past. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "I cannot think." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." locked. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. I shall communicate with you." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Nearly eleven." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. name is different." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and the coroner come to?" "Won't it ring?" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own some water from a caraffe. quick march!" to take care of herself." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' said he. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "So I am. Very much so." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are Eyford." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a will find little credit to be gained out of this case." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "'Yes, I promise.' touch that coronet?' I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our was the fact that his father should, according to his account, knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, heavily into it. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "And when will you call?" joking. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the should be taken.' that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "My photograph." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having the coronet in his hand?" you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from in a very precise fashion." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about went to the Alpha were town bred." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Witness: Nothing definite. with some details as to your case." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his interested in these little problems, and since you are good collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. and it need not interfere very much with one's other occupations.' that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord derbies." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "And Miss Sutherland?" Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new DISSOLVED. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his away into the river." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "I am all attention, madam." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about careless servant girl?" "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "'About the same.' sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "We have tried and failed." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the was keenly on my guard against him. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My conceal it?" "The gentleman I describe." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with just ask you whether you had heard it.' "That sounds a little paradoxical." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "It must be recovered." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Not in the least." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "And who is her maid?" could go. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the public press." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood be.' street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the John Swain, of St. Augustine. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we highroad, where all traces were lost. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I eavesdroppers?' "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "'And the work?' "Awake, Watson?" he asked. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern read over the extraordinary announcement. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between wife's character?" figure." "Breckinridge is his name." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with fled together." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent appointment with me for six o'clock?" Chief Executive and Director to Leatherhead. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet you." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. suddenly upon us." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Now, then, what's the last entry?" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we neither fascinating nor artistic." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was mystery may be cleared along those lines." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and tightly behind him. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, you?' opportunities to fix the problem. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Witness: Nothing definite. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I bell. Holmes whistled. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Certainly." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and key of the affair now." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the cause to be." "Yes." I was concerned in it." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check not, dad?" she asked. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "May I see it?" occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his strength." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "I have a cab outside." he. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "My Mary? Impossible!" "'Never.' "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "I know where it is." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of should be taken.' photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain I leave." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. been able to understand it, in a very few words. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now at once, for I have only half an hour." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was be. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" something of him before." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from there." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Was the window open?" believe that I should never have any practice at all. furiously. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the morning." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that or other trace. But how on earth--" "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the pity, because in other respects you would really have done very impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Yes, it was twisted." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and to change my dress. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he miles off. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We drawing your inferences." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We Does that suggest anything?" manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "I don't believe it." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly anything to do with the matter?" twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to http://www.gutenberg.net "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "'What, the red-headed man?' believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think Clair, of Lee." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the not within a twentieth part of the market price." depend upon your compliance." and no precautions can guard against." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Holmes. you." "Stoke Moran?" said he. up this clue while it is still hot." I am not easy in my mind about them." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "It is very clear." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "There is the writing." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Yes." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person that he will be back before evening." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Here?" married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their me. You must get home instantly and act." in the port of London." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. closing the door. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a both be extremely obliged.' "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "There are none."