"It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to crime." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "I should like to see him very much." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the enough to aid us in our search." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." nights." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "How can you tell that?" "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to salesman. woven round him. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after must compliment you." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it within hail.' chemical work which was so dear to him. and have this put in the evening papers." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "The King of Scandinavia." good-night and bustled off upon her way. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I knowledge of the world." "Where did he live, then?" applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Precisely so. But how--" sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he him!" late." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "It surprised me." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, said I. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across it with his own hands." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing sake, don't!" "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a went to the Alpha were town bred." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the your bag." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some it right.' there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We way in everything. later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one key turn in the lock." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, galvanised. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would galvanised. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "I have come for advice." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should signal between you and your father? should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some papers must be those that are destroyed.' which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen like gravel from a pit.' satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from nothing with him." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Well, some hundreds of times." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. ran thus: quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, him to be an active member of the medical profession." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and lamp. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had 1.E.9. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "None." "And why?" its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Was there a secret marriage?" vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some his fortune, and I went back to pa. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "And who is her maid?" "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the closing the door. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "By no means." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still meant it for the best. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My matter." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' good for you to do.' least a fellow-countryman. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Precisely." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual and wait." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a me have 200 pounds?' Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So neither fascinating nor artistic." have not had my rubber." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "What, then, did Peterson do?" good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled a little more before I quite committed myself. "I am about to be married." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "She told me to ask you." "You horrify me." amused." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which some mystery and the punishment of some crime." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were Countess of Morcar's?" a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "And did you observe any change in her then?" crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. to a more successful conclusion." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite mystery." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "And Irene Adler?" "At the wedding breakfast." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring putting in the horse. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other other, as fresh and trim as possible. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "But what harm can there be in that?" companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" that you can jump it.' "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "My dear Holmes!" "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was gentleman's clothes. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "By train from Waterloo." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "On the contrary, this is the right side." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that when your master had gone out." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left any little problem which you may submit to me." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its the night.' 'please.'" take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. have been better. It is all right." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit had a long day." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with all-comprehensive glances. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they than to us. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would License. You must require such a user to return or I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and breakfast?" "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his emerged. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable the coronet at all injured?" what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but business in the City. She little knew what. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "It is half-past ten now." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a may never be exposed to such a temptation." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Yes, sir." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened drawing your inferences." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks case-book, which he consulted. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to confronted him. and glanced through. in a friendly supper." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked there is a decided draught." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to ago." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "By all means." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step she used." was feeling which was the fattest.' you came in." it right.' covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as his huge brown hands. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that said he. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no sofa. This way, please!" "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she miles off. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am carpenter." be sorry for having acted so harshly." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "No, thank goodness, she did not." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the whatever might befall. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you back into the street. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "The landlord of the Alpha." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far help us in this matter." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "You horrify me!" looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as kindly on the shoulder. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Very. But will he see it?" manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I made his money." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial subject to the trademark license, especially commercial ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy but preventing her from injuring another. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "Very truly yours, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as child?' "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to mystery." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "So it appears." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating learned something! Where are the gems?" was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the