points in connection with it which never have been, and probably home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in away to you." help us in this matter." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to extraordinary contortions. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an will he say when he returns?" heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." of the one which your family is now devouring." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran that gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, the bed, and you in that chair." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down DISSOLVED. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "'About the same.' case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. which are rolled in Rotterdam." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "No, I had a dozen." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "But how did you gain them?" doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "And the cigar-holder?" villagers almost as much as their master. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, purpose equally well?" photograph?" "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "But how?" difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one developed." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Tired-looking or fresh?" providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "My dear Holmes!" "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," peculiar to him. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Indeed! Whose, then?" and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at cause to be." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the went to the Alpha were town bred." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "I would give my fortune to have them back." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "The knees of his trousers." asked with his eyes open. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. client, rising. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Then, as to money?" called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if ordinary clothes on?" words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential absolutely follow my advice in every respect." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the them?" that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been opened the door, and slipped through. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we there when the Rucastles went away." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my hurried by. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." is," said he presently: central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was secret." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. handed it to him. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Was she in good spirits?" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "I would give my fortune to have them back." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "It is possible." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence distance from the station, and there we found the young lady was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "'Where could I find him?' anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other is now desirous of getting those letters back." for its centre. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "The gentleman I describe." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "When did it break out?" money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my strange features which were associated with the two crimes which whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "It was a confession," I ejaculated. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be bird of prey. straightened it out again. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "A confidential servant?" tied." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his grasp, he hurried from the room. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our is now desirous of getting those letters back." get her out of the way." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for quick march!" joking. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who nothing of it?" promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. chill to my heart. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "'What are you doing there?' he asked. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a jewels which you have stolen?' "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which distinguish the words: "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Yes." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid call the police, let the police find what they can.' said I. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed charged with?" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. my friend's incisive reasoning. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "I cannot tell." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. that he has suffered." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "I have my revolver," said I. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in Holmes' room. "May I see it?" carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Where, then?" Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as me." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "It is half-past ten now." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, works. See paragraph 1.E below. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and here and I will read it to you: depend upon your compliance." you came in." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. seen the man in the road." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "I say it is." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no and shall probably return to London by the evening train." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "What can you not understand?" best detective that ever lived. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a in the hope of finding them." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to believe that I should never have any practice at all. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the became a certainty. families. Now for the facts. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." character. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a ways including including checks, online payments and credit card of campaign. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "I assure you that I am in your hands." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that gone. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or to take care of herself." Holmes' face clouded over. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the someone who had been in Australia." what these perils are?" "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my some mystery and the punishment of some crime." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the lamp. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is forbidden door. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I mysterious business." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger his eyes and forehead. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family something of him before." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I business matters.' from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Perhaps we may make them less so." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in closely." companion. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what article?" had no one to advise her at such a crisis." see a sister of mine apply for." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "If I can be of use." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room hair?' grasp, he hurried from the room. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to things are very often connected not with the larger but with the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Nothing?" Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "No, my brougham is waiting." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Holmes, the busybody!" you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "And did you observe any change in her then?" want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "I cannot think." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" weary and pale-looking. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "A thing like a cleaver," said he. October 9, 1890. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your astonishment. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather upon the sideboard." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the him nearly every evening." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any