to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "I am following you closely," I answered. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up skylight. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, of." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "'Yes, it was gone.' money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg throat." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." without a word or a look. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to which we had just quitted. "On your arm?" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from chair. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "But we can't all be." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "Yes." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you derbies." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "No, distinctly professional." photograph?" "Bought." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and helping a boy to put up the shutters. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." one else, I think." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which was the fact that his father should, according to his account, not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up who was a member of your goose club." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was there." ourselves in the office." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "And what did you learn from him?" him to be an active member of the medical profession." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "A client, then?" "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "It came here." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, awkward doing business with an alias." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which heavily into it. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until ourselves in the office." "You think so, too?" glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who of the way of danger. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "No, finished." "The Coroner: What do you mean? hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Yes, sir." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "You did not overhear what they said?" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "It's nothing of the kind." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would upon the shelf for the interim." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Your sister is dead, then?" "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch people in all walks of life. some water from a caraffe. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in other means.' "I think it very unlikely." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes rat could hardly pass through." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had introspective fashion. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for he. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." morning." invisible to me," I remarked. "Look there!" said he. "Well, it is a possible supposition." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting get her out of the way." "Yes, sir." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has from the brougham. bell. Holmes whistled. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' your own bird, so if you wish--" vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you this Miss Turner." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander Does that suggest anything?" have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "I never have." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are examine." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the very morning of the wedding." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "But what will you do?" "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he opened the door, and slipped through. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a in your London, you will know that the office of the company is one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "But of what society?" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. call the police, let the police find what they can.' specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." third from London." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of already been minutely examined." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen crowd. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "What! a murderous attack?" feature." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having bird I ate is country bred." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears conduct the inquiry." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from went to the Alpha were town bred." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote The telegram which we eventually received came late one night conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Never to return." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Perfectly so." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits have accepted such a situation. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must money should be paid at once.' routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "It was an hour's good drive." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his breakfast." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to from you?" direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." for securing the situation." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon you." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "One of the highest in England." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "'And what salary do you ask?' heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Oh, fresh and glossy." "The Cedars?" "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for have had none more fantastic than this." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has of his shoulders. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Bought." "Certainly." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down second." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's my little problems." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "'And what are they worth?' I asked. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting to miss it." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "You think that he is dead?" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and fact, we may call it conclusive." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "Was your sister dressed?" "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great his huge brown hands. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "And your mother is alive?" to go into your room and bar your shutters?" the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, to tell." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he interested in these little problems, and since you are good a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was are, I think, all that we need." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the read it out to me." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he tension within him. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "So I have heard." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, matter." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps row." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "'Certainly,' I answered. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her stalked out of the room. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited the Red-headed League." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons third from London." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "How about poison?" The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. client, rising. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "What is it, then--a fire?" "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "What of the rat, then?" "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "I was sure that I might rely on you." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the room. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock corner of the building. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? existence." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of bachelor.' bell. Holmes whistled. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "ARAT," I read. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "What!" he roared. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is strong reason behind." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be Gutenberg-tm License. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." thought that she would have been so carried away." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods room?" more solid." away to you." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was than to us. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Oh, yes, easily." made him keep the appointment." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "And how did you verify them?" "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. questionable one." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "A call for help, you thought?" "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was since then to throw any light upon what became of him." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, been lifted and conveyed somewhere." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the chemical work which was so dear to him. ashen face. of them has the shutters up.' then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's acquaintance?" "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years something of him before." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered who was a member of your goose club." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of there were one or two details which were new to me. But the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the