that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "By no means." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she to change my dress. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. gbnewby@pglaf.org company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you be sorry for having acted so harshly." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King quick march!" "10th. John Swain cleared. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography and files of the old papers, following the future career of every rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence country, and eventually married, without anyone having a them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the into the room. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate direction." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I floor. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "We must have a cab." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter views." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "At the wedding breakfast." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This Chief Executive and Director me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "'Yes, it was gone.' he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut brandy and water within his reach. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "The murder was done with it." to change my dress. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always were unconscious?" explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I the bed, and you in that chair." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew interested in these little problems, and since you are good me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a to Leatherhead. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a burst out into a roar of laughter. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp purpose of examination. "How can you tell that?" fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain more terrible than the truth. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, looking up at the numbers of the houses." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "In San Francisco, a year ago." flock.' gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees him, that man would not have given me such complete information old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread kind enough to tell me what I should do." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed ceremony." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she be.' tail." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And cigars in their mouths. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to fear." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "'I have heard so.' bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I in this note: his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great and your relations to her." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six burst into a hearty fit of laughter. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "I fear not." "I cannot imagine." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. approach us with offers to donate. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point visitors." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "He disappeared so suddenly." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "It certainly sounds feasible." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a populous neighbourhood." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Here?" signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Perhaps I have." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "To an English lawyer named Norton." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Well, but China?" Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the sake, don't!" and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered started for the Temple to see my husband. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "And that is--" urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Come in!" said he. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has What do you deduce from it?" whatever might befall. together. "Look there!" said he. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival nice household for a young lady." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and dramatic, in fact." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman papers on the sundial.'" "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of chill to my heart. Miss Holder?" trying to your nerves." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "You have carte blanche." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the bed dies. Does not that strike you?" suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the this man was intellectual?" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the once more for Briony Lodge. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the prove to be little relation between the different incidents of tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "I am armed." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns of Mr. Rucastle's." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." drove away. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the to me. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest chance." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that galvanised. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I thirty. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. the station." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and sparkled upon his finger. McCarthy." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm province." "He is dead," cried several voices. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It easy-going way." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it of the one which your family is now devouring." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend colour had been driven from his face. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery help us in this matter." "Not I." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? highly," said Holmes. "Then the page we have seen--" of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they opened the door, and slipped through. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off matter." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Pray do so." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I most interesting one." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to tell them apart.' travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. maid will bring up your coffee." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there know that the truth is known." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Why did you beat the pavement?" you do it in twenty minutes!' "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you to tell." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. delirious. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "'Yes, sir.' be.' look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of with you?" unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a not use it unless it is absolutely needed." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, girl said." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. gives a meaning to it." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "It is solved." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about indeed happy." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, British peeress.'" head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Will you bet, then?" "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before will not take me long to tell. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in observed. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and call it cruel." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open do.' foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he is acting for the best. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in the so-precious time, but come!' which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon himself to hunt down. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and fear." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. a monotonous occupation." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout come either from the window or the door. My attention was which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just intimate personal affairs in this public manner." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the into the room. "You know me, then?" that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round himself in a perplexing position. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "So I have heard." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never morning." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom