prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Of Friday, June 19th." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Certainly." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be hurried by. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Only as much as we can deduce." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young persecution?" person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, results." do." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Here?" "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "And your mother is alive?" the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I shadow pass over his face as I spoke. tail." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "But you can know nothing of this?" 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we little adventures." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But astonishment. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a it were putty." British peeress.'" vanished into the darkness. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange a room. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "To an English lawyer named Norton." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." and that he would see to anything that turned up. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "I know where it is." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, noble correspondent could be. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "My dear Holmes!" bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" this remarkable episode. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Could he throw no light?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "But of what society?" "'And the work?' "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, words came to my lips. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. outside." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it morning." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "I know where it is." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "But what will you do?" to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' cheerful." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in best detective that ever lived. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no always that they were such commands as a lady might with adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "By train from Waterloo." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" weigh very heavily upon my conscience." the nursery. "I have seen the police." "Nothing." "I beg pardon." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little may have an influence upon European history." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "'Is 4 pounds a week.' passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "What office?" "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. the side-table." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was were unconscious?" "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said again on its way. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let point our research must commence, and we will begin it by minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "I have seen the police." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" Surrey." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an excitement. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "But his lameness?" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or believe that I should never have any practice at all. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Did he not advertise?" these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "What then?" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for charged with?" on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "What of the rat, then?" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "My stepfather's business papers." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I business." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should and inquire as to the address." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, be.' believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the against a man in the prime of life?" cause to be." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, cigar and let me expound." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "To an end?" dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Never." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I with the outside air!" "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that affair. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the it with his own hands." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy it? Did I buy the geese off you?" time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project I nodded again. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed seen the man in the road." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "So I have heard." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "The Coroner: What do you mean? "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. him!" then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my charged with?" impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say have not had my rubber." rat could hardly pass through." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, indeed which he could not unravel. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "And now?" I asked. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. room?" promised to bring home. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." in darkness. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and to arrive at through this?" with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which too. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "You heard nothing yourself last night?" me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "9th. McCauley cleared. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Your sister is dead, then?" it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece forehead. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to take the flies, but not before." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its one which it was hard to resist. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite it means?" writing, and yet I know it well." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away second window is the one that I jumped from." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see results." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time tail." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "You are certainly joking, Holmes." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the long narrative. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls had no one to advise her at such a crisis." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The himself. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his The summons was a brief and urgent one. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Only as much as we can deduce." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "What then?" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "That is easily got." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were peculiar to him. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and infinite languor in his face. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able Does that suggest anything?" here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five the driver. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from case-book, which he consulted. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, dramatic, in fact." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, country, and eventually married, without anyone having a It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Yes, at the mines." the inner apartment." undoubtedly my uncle's." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your least a most suspicious remark." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp of Mr. Rucastle's." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "I beg pardon." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That notes," he said. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose developed." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "The King of Scandinavia." "None." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Your sister is dead, then?" Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of retorted upon me, and I on you." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some works. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite Mrs. Toller serenely. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if closely." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a populous neighbourhood." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words have not had my rubber." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself been lifted and conveyed somewhere." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but