"I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our papers." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm at my own good fortune. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and him, that man would not have given me such complete information listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." tell me that you intended to go into harness." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, certainly do as you advise." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's had formerly been in part my own. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "And help." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Yes, there are nearly always some there." bachelor.' He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must exactly what you advise." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Yes, they were peculiar boots." certainly not very gracious." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his congratulate you again." "One of his hands." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office newspaper selections." "That also I could fathom." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as them?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked gone before you can get him to hospital." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "'Stolen!' he cried. good for you to do.' "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the man. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, views." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this throat." in my life." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I me." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if throat." his wife has ceased to love him." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Not yet." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not swore that no one else had been in the front room during the and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre prison!" judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Well, some hundreds of times." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "I cannot say that I have." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Quite so. She has her freedom." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "'Certainly not. But why?' collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic 'please.'" in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and case-book, which he consulted. "Precisely." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There http://gutenberg.net/license). should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his have had none more fantastic than this." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was mysterious business." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." learned something! Where are the gems?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call conceal it?" Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Not particularly." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of he bowed and left the room without another word. there in twenty minutes." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "'Tell me all about it,' said I. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his ourselves in the office." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This the Assizes." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated Holmes' thin, eager face. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no confronted him. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which suggested at once that there must be a communication between the in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a But Holmes shook his head gravely. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more presented more singular features than that which was associated Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "And your mother is alive?" "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "What then?" with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Why, it's a dummy," said he. the coronet in his hand?" advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" License. You must require such a user to return or "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "I cannot as yet see any connection." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "But what is it you wish?" be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into whatever might befall. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have his cane at the bell-pull. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Nothing." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in Holmes' face clouded over. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert as this. Pray let me have the details." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "He said too much." "Not in the least." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "'I have heard so.' "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society DISSOLVED. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly noting anything else of interest. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently have an American origin." which we had just quitted. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your invisible to me," I remarked. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Will you go?" "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of hardly wander." never to learn it at all." shoulder; "he's all right." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "And you thought he was pulled back?" man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove assist you in forming an opinion." it. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's disappearance of the bride.'" whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. Pope's Court. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "A call for help, you thought?" "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "None. Neville wrote those words." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my dramatic, in fact." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "My dear Holmes!" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "I assure you that I am in your hands." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it colour had been driven from his face. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it had died away into the silence from which it rose. distinguish the words: habit of advancing money.' brain must have something in it." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than of Fenchurch Street." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "That sounds a little paradoxical." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Have you it here?" distance from the station, and there we found the young lady sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "It surprised me." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Precisely." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining be sorry for having acted so harshly." awaited us upon the table. house for five minutes.' very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a Farm upon the left." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "On your arm?" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from is worth.' "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been forebodings. round with crates and massive boxes. "And you don't know his address?" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "We must have a cab." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom way in everything. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She Chief Executive and Director the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But questionable one." guilty parties." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I passage and a tap at the door. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his he died? "Upon what point?" "'Which dealer's?' the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who of." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round were new raised from a basin. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "I warn you that they are very incomplete." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & door?" absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "In heaven's name, what for?" always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary o'clock is it?" stammered. "To the police?" Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Why did you pick him?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress hardly wander." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, my little problems." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very have had none more fantastic than this." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg indeed happy." as noiselessly as she had come. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different legal crime." his cane at the bell-pull. and it need not interfere very much with one's other "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Holmes, the busybody!" remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us this Miss Turner." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite lamp. confronted him. "You horrify me!" protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "You did not overhear what they said?" future lives." "'Ample.' profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "So I have heard." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to photograph a cabinet?" only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed page at http://pglaf.org "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or