drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which touch that coronet?' think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had learned something! Where are the gems?" of Mr. Rucastle's." nothing with him." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this despair." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a answer." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "And the cigar-holder?" our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not so far?" very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in Street. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "This concluded the examination of the witness." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we tell me that you intended to go into harness." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from down. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who Literary Archive Foundation Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "And who is her maid?" as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was once more to my work. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. kindly on the shoulder. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door yet." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into lamp. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "Why did you pick him?" Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Yes?" though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to appeared upon the scene." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, miles off. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "I shall be delighted." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I back to my heart. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work For additional contact information: six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course meanly of me." might help us?" "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Yes." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" for the market.' or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." the running down." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been the driver. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found assist you in forming an opinion." "I do." his eyes and forehead. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The to me. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my on re-entering her father's house?" I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have acquaintance?" there in twenty minutes." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin over here." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems the morning and make my own way in the world.' recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Here?" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as several quiet little villages up there." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not front of the hall door has given its name to the place. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "No, distinctly professional." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "He slept on the premises." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "No, I had a dozen." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind should be taken.' weary and pale-looking. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant the general public were present, then?" weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had appeared upon the scene." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, comes from the middle window." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of said I. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce light and attacked it." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I companion quietly. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "And how?" 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the married her." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "How about poison?" through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "It looks newer than the other things?" find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," security.' ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, License. You must require such a user to return or back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his ashen face. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few Holmes' face clouded over. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Where, then?" of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I allusion to a rat. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in affection." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "When did it break out?" was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Texas, I think." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, I held the little printed slip to the light. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence him. "To an end?" hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "'And the work?' be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "A call for help, you thought?" There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "'Certainly not.' he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I may never be exposed to such a temptation." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about of Fenchurch Street." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite arrested. You then--" that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "'And what salary do you ask?' with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance his grey eyes. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you learned something! Where are the gems?" room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great which was all perfectly true. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one it? Did I buy the geese off you?" accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the since then to throw any light upon what became of him." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Certainly, madam." The events in question occurred in the early days of my took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key my room." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Leadenhall Street--and--" That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "At the wedding breakfast." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "By no means." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' You can understand that this register and diary may implicate As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small you?" me. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "ARAT," I read. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, a little more before I quite committed myself. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "That is easily got." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Not yet." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking way: agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this these bleak autumnal evenings." His smile broadened. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole of your young ladies.' clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either official police." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. think you a quite exceptional woman." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got fled together." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & My friend smiled. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "My private note-paper." your room." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "10th. John Swain cleared. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but the Friday. Was it to be in church?" dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the business." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there upon an income of about 60 pounds." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found we went to search for him, face downward in a little have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "At half-wages, in fact." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I quite distinctive." o'clock is it?" wedding?" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Yes." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. question," said Holmes, smiling. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she is entirely a question of barometric pressure." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was beg that you will break it off." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "So I am. Very much so." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and strength of mind to control. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into