stammered. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began neither fascinating nor artistic." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "It is possible." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out meanly of me." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built client, rising. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "It surprised me." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read details should find their way into the papers. Inspector naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one rose-bushes. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Why, what do you mean?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side again on its way. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most test if we have an answer to our advertisement." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was carriage. It was a chestnut." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. purpose of examination. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from official police." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "I have my revolver," said I. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "'Not at all. I only doubt--' the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do to talk it over. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "You have a clue?" "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and newspaper selections." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "I am following you closely," I answered. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "None. Neville wrote those words." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained mystery may be cleared along those lines." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Who by?" "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds name is different." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward that hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "What can it mean?" I gasped. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of other means.' 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "'Yes.' "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, of your young ladies.' was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal vault. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do wanted for ourselves." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. said he. "How are you getting on?" acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without The telegram which we eventually received came late one night silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of any little problem which you may submit to me." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of wife's character?" was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. Pool. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this believe that I should never have any practice at all. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "9th. McCauley cleared. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE himself in a perplexing position. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would mystery may be cleared along those lines." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet Does that suggest anything?" "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. bears upon the case?" but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." conduct the inquiry." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Of what?" Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. you?' "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, we went to search for him, face downward in a little guilty one." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of she slowly sank and died without having recovered her cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the purpose equally well?" that I can to serve you." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was a room. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his at my own good fortune. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain open." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Imitated." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Your sister is dead, then?" "Which surely he restored to their owner?" hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which in one or two places in England?' word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet the morning and make my own way in the world.' "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." him and tried to hold him back. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and charged with?" myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of his face which made him a very different person to the round, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." said he at last. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his status with the IRS. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "That you are never beaten." he bowed and left the room without another word. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or him!" you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "You horrify me." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Do you go out much in society?" "So I heard. You have him here?" "One horse?" interjected Holmes. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "And you thought he was pulled back?" I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of he. trying to your nerves." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Then how many are there?" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I as yours." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "One?" Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black telegram would bring me down to your help." "But how will you look?" am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your their singular warning or token before them when starting upon opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "And help." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout him!" I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him bird of prey. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "You have carte blanche." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There fatally injured? black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "I think it very unlikely." success. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little writing, and yet I know it well." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a followed. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is pressing in one house as in another. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not been able to understand it, in a very few words. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "What do you make of that, Watson?" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Come in!" said Holmes. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments enough to aid us in our search." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "What of the rat, then?" upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "Well, but China?" instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother will be renamed. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other later, upon the night of May 2nd." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "If so, much may have happened between." problems help me to do so." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Yes, they were peculiar boots." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no there was no need for father to know." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. leave you to your papers for a little." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "But how did you gain them?" "Of what?" "How about poison?" felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed to-night." door?" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. politicians who had been sent down from the North. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have I have it here in my museum." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "And the murderer?" But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred beg that you will break it off." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in that I may have something better before very many minutes are was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was throat." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the house for five minutes.' murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his outside." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what said he. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods charged with?" which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this digesting their breakfasts at home." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "What then?" thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided prepare for the new role I have to play." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. way in." newspaper selections." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "But how will you look?" endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He cheerful." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "I cannot imagine." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If gigantic client. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." I am not easy in my mind about them." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "So I have heard." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that like gravel from a pit.' "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Did you observe the colour?" owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Then, as to money?" have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set intrusion of other matters." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but row." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got shaken than I had ever seen him. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a like that before?" murdered man." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs o'clock is it?" geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "You don't mind breaking the law?" morning." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "He disappeared so suddenly." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that was once confined in the cab my mission was practically stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to disappearance of the bride.'" machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "It is true that I have been generally successful." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which persecution?" "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Your presence might be invaluable." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "I think it very unlikely." "'Certainly not. But why?' me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the the bed, and you in that chair." "That is it on the dressing-table." "Eh? What was that?" are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "And it is--" values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have are, and they are waiting for us."