before the coroner and the police-court." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "It is very clear." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his are, I think, all that we need." http://gutenberg.net/license). you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a went to the Alpha were town bred." showing my impatience. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the I nodded to show that I had heard. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and been deceived." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of shoulder. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though crackling voice. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from minor matters until to-morrow." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that any more." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "No." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are just called myself is not exactly my own." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor there!' "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Again Holmes raved in the air. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than where we are going." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad disappearance of these gems?" from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "She told me to ask you." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are footfalls from the street. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any very morning of my second wedding." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. emerged. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "It looks newer than the other things?" the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, said I. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." chamber." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Why did you beat the pavement?" police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Here?" time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set window when the police appeared." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working woven round him. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was open." delighted to hear it," he said. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Oh, fresh and glossy." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Then how many are there?" It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of people in all walks of life. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Oh, fresh and glossy." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, lost his Christmas dinner." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep page at http://pglaf.org you came in." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. in the port of London." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was your troubles." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. indeed which he could not unravel. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured had a long day." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid whether it answered to the description of any of their "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel might help us?" light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by the nursery. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' troubles have been weighing upon his mind. get the tickets." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a client, rising. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be signal between you and your father? inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger said I. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the III. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. fishes. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, to a light-house. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "And from a noble client?" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "His face fell immediately. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his make me his representative both with the servants and with the such attractions and accomplishments?' innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent along the entire front of the house, with three long windows was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to miles off. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must and capable of preserving a secret.' clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I characteristics, but those are the more obvious." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Cross for the Continent." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. it." particular state visit http://pglaf.org to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who other lovers by making love himself." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Yes." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to the south-west, I see." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her about. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again she to prove their authenticity?" "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you had died away into the silence from which it rose. acquaintance?" "Very much so." strength in the others." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each relief. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Where did you address your letters, then?" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. forebodings. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. miles off. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to correct than the official force." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and like gravel from a pit.' fatally injured? Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Absolutely?" unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "I should be immensely obliged to you." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "No. His orders were to stay in the house." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and ran thus: "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "I cannot imagine." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right persecution?" must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. any little problem which you may submit to me." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "What then?" connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Yes." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and that you can jump it.' of receipt of the work. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes congenial hunt. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had your most interesting statement." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only secret." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the again, where I was soon asleep. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her reach." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "To ruin me." instincts rose up against that laugh. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it that I may have something better before very many minutes are truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some asked with his eyes open. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of him to go away.' simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying States. felt the room to be a little close.' widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Then he might have called to you?" to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Oh, yes, easily." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed burst into a hearty fit of laughter. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "But I am all in the dark." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and fishes. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its of note-paper. It read in this fashion: had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to be there in time for your coming." "Witness: Nothing definite. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into fashion which was peculiar to him. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening keep the flames under. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, hardly wander." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of constraint." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Yes, the wine-cellar." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "The murder was done with it." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Then, as to money?" time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. chamber." with her." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with have established a very serious case against the son of the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless morning." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "'I have heard so.' client, rising. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the I am not easy in my mind about them." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that returned to France?" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever place no limit on the sum I may draw." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. Mary, has deserted me." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good shoulder; "he's all right." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is with frightened eyes at his accuser. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, obstinate." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler felt?" here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "I see no marks." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these cause to be." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Your French gold?" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or skylight. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. door?" to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved business." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Will you bet, then?" lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "VIOLET HUNTER." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's was shining brightly. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!"