of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small front of me. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from quick march!" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "You are certainly joking, Holmes." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "About a month then." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Seven!" I answered. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged sneer upon his pale face. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him prepare for the new role I have to play." child?' "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird people in all walks of life. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. Foundation lectures into a series of tales." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." carpenter." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "My dear Holmes!" are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, enter into my head. clanging. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great she to prove their authenticity?" and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when enter into my head. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "My private note-paper." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Then you may be so with me." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural have accepted such a situation. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with character. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Yes, he did." "Your presence might be invaluable." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "In what way?" asked Holmes. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug ordinary clothes on?" sneer upon his pale face. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Will you bet, then?" abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." help us in this matter." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the Pool. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will have I gained?" it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "And how?" have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "It goes to the housekeeper's room." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was indeed happy." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have upon a handsome competence. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "How are you getting on?" have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." Arthur Conan Doyle fact, we may call it conclusive." his huge brown hands. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "'Yes, sir.' "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the late!' they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the danger is over." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Whose house is it?" a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a for its centre. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to Edgeware Road. mystery." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Here?" "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so the one as in the other." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he think, you have already met." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was past. "What! You do not mean bodies?" secret." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, and have this put in the evening papers." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "'Where could I find him?' upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Well?" and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and the very letters. But what is this written above them?' cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that that I may have something better before very many minutes are entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us memory. "To ruin me." His smile broadened. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "I am armed." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then weigh very heavily upon my conscience." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the straighten it?" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had The summons was a brief and urgent one. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. carriage. It was a chestnut." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some very morning of my second wedding." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very awaited us upon the table. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely eat it." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." dear old homesteads?" prisoner's face. during that time.' cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." said Mr. Holder. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "What have you done?" asked Holmes. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." main points of my analysis." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in thin legs towards the fire. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "You have compromised yourself seriously." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "How long did she speak to this Alice?" steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman friend's singular character. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp generous with you in money matters.' "The best possible." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, note?" fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Where to?" a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. voice. strong and stiff." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt me where it went to?" "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "It goes to the housekeeper's room." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: ventilator." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Pray do so." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "'Yes, I promise.' "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "I know where it is." lamp. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Yes, sir." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ from the brougham. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a brandy and water within his reach. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken reach." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "I shall be delighted." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you observed. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "'Yes, I promise.' Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood all that?" me what he had done with the three missing stones. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and me. You must get home instantly and act." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two again on its way. pound a week." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a becomes even more simple." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years chill to my heart. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Yes, I have one waiting." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "But you can know nothing of this?" abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from someone who had been in Australia." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if where we are going." never to learn it at all." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "It is a murder, then?" "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." sooner or later she must fall a victim. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we ventilator." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "It certainly sounds feasible." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property already referred to. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "No." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and at once, for I have only half an hour." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. became a certainty. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the walking." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, felt the room to be a little close.' entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is six. Come in!" those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." friends, not even his own brother. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "I will try. What is it?" floor. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Because he was handy and would come cheap." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "And for present expenses?" consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for signal between you and your father? "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I o'clock is it?" attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at system of imprisonment?" It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the name is different." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "This photograph!" not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive charged with?" the roots. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity."