"I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "And how in the world did you find them?" beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "But how will you look?" could not have written that. It is the German who is so abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten the child." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "No. What a strange idea!" to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." weapon." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive straightened it out again. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" one of them." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Lee, in the county of Kent." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master events than those which have happened in my own family." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to your equipment. "Then I can wait in the next room." too. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "And it is--" And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "It came here." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Perhaps I have." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as absorbing." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second The King stared at him in amazement. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. chill to my heart. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. what these perils are?" after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "By no means." key of the affair now." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "'You cannot say what it was?' in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Certainly." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "I do." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. she to prove their authenticity?" writers could invent nothing more crude." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he not within a twentieth part of the market price." "But what is it you wish?" The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both is worth.' arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven to affect your life." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "'Why that?' I asks. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in some city in a dream. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. secret." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "How often?" wedding?" bird I ate is country bred." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter been deceived." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were whatever might befall. the matter." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I written. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "What!" he roared. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I It may be so in this case, also." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid you do it in twenty minutes!' "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting three of the beryls in it, was missing. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Did your wife hear all this?" child?' foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man said I. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of chance." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Pray be precise as to details," said he. the warnings." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "I will, Miss Turner." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. pictures, libraries, or plate. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. your most interesting statement." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Certainly." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am himself to tell his story. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "No, but the enclosure is." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Yes, certainly." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and cost them two and thirty pounds." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "It was." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the behind me. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Your French gold?" correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the which was all perfectly true. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a skylight. been able to understand it, in a very few words. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "The Cedars?" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." arrested. You then--" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Yes." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "His face fell immediately. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the just ask you whether you had heard it.' "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. eat it." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down to a more successful conclusion." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "And why?" "'I have heard so.' of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "I am following you closely," I answered. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Then the page we have seen--" "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Eh? What was that?" "But she will refuse." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "My dear Holmes!" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "And what then?" routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Yes, it was twisted." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "But you would not advise me to refuse?" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is this man was intellectual?" freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. so.' hurried away. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this will he say when he returns?" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. DAMAGE. best detective that ever lived. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely outside." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "One of the highest in England." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so must compliment you." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "I will, Miss Turner." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an security.' platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her appeared upon the scene." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out to Leatherhead. acted in my house last night?" this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Yes." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." weary and pale-looking. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. certainly do as you advise." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on this unhappy family?" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign and all of them with the keenest interest. spark where all is dark to me." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of impression behind it as though a window had gently closed at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I triumphant cloud from his cigarette. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a records." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists introspective fashion. "'Very good.' astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on derbies." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet gigantic client. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the meant it for the best. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that fat-encircled eyes. "I think that it is very probable." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "'Yes, sir.' "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Not I." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty Holmes' face clouded over. in this way: waste of energy." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and gone. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Yes, that is the Crown." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting hard-headed British jury." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Just look it up, then." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my weighed down with some great anxiety. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you had this final quarrel? details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. spark where all is dark to me." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined legal crime." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be pity, because in other respects you would really have done very Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in where Mr. Fordham shows you.' she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "'And what salary do you ask?' of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian telegram would bring me down to your help." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He of the way of danger. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His possible that we could bring him back to her? "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to that there was nothing in it, after all." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest room had already been engaged for us. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Yes?" "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague one else, I think." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few