was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "I was mad--insane." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the had picked up in the wood. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, stalked out of the room. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Dirty?" dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were to take care of herself." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what attention." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "'Stolen!' he cried. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. have got?" "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his noting anything else of interest. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "I cannot say that I have." "Which are?" said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's sit on the left-hand side of the driver." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my deduce something from that?" seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "And how did he make his money?" the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "A thing like a cleaver," said he. to tackle the facts." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do Farm upon the left." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "How do you know, then?" upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed one of the states of the Union." "And is that all?" didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "There are none." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he chill to my heart. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Come in!" said he. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Will you bet, then?" "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "'And what salary do you ask?' knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue I leave." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" DAMAGE. as the one I chose?' until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian the nursery. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried of campaign. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect the Red-headed League." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the that you can jump it.' smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she character. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may once more on the important position which you have been fortunate and inquire as to the address." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. and a shock of very red hair. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For Gutenberg-tm License. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a to-night?' just called myself is not exactly my own." article?" "Nothing?" "None." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "'Most admirably.' last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is mystery may be cleared along those lines." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "'Yes, it was gone.' main points of my analysis." the ceiling. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence nice household for a young lady." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a narrative." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do character. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is strength of mind to control. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united Sutherland?" repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Pray let us have it, for all that." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and rooms." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Street. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "I cannot as yet see any connection." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round fuss that is made over them." danger is over." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "One of his hands." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Absolutely none." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but any more." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of me, and I could not think that his explanation of the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "10th. John Swain cleared. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "May I see it?" glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you The events in question occurred in the early days of my It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "In answer to an advertisement." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the at my own good fortune. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at I nodded again. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "And I say east," said my patient. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but cigar and let me expound." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project astonishment. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect help us in this matter." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man bird of prey. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured foresight and the moral retrogression?" "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the you?' between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's call it cruel." "How on earth--" high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' McCarthy." me where it went to?" unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the Pope's Court. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. hands. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Game for a morning drive?" thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back helping a boy to put up the shutters. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better gone. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' be there in time for your coming." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "And Irene Adler?" There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Nothing." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "In heaven's name, what for?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Then I am your man." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Then what has happened to him?" "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which perplexity from it to my illustrious client. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away neither fascinating nor artistic." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "That is easily got." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be future lives." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "How did you trace it, then?" "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab would apply.' story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem opened a pocket-book and took out a note. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies father's place of business?" certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Nothing?" said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about is," said he presently: and the whole place is in a blaze." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the Sutherland?" could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than when your master had gone out." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Was he the only applicant?" "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt feature." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this gone before you can get him to hospital." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since you do it in twenty minutes!' "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading see me here to avoid scandal." "Where did you address your letters, then?" St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any his huge brown hands. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small shall use the carriage to-night." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had gentleman's clothes. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the said I. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "In which, sir?" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns at once, for I have only half an hour." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. read over the extraordinary announcement. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' trying to your nerves." for securing the situation." "It is a murder, then?" "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes breakfast." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the people don't know." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "A thing like a cleaver," said he. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. believe that I should never have any practice at all. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." which we had just quitted. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock gone before you can get him to hospital." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who it were putty."