leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say he. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project fear." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I nights." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' interest. They are important, you understand, without being I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." it means?" He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "It missed him, then?" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "At what time?" much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but Again Holmes raved in the air. "And now?" He raised his hand. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "The gentleman I describe." ran thus: "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Yes." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "My last client of the sort was a king." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "'I shall certainly be there.' Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Breckinridge is his name." "'Yes.' "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' despaired of." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "I have hopes." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation the Assizes." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers once more. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" but preventing her from injuring another. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at awkward doing business with an alias." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of coroner's jury." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "What have you done?" asked Holmes. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but friend's singular character. a good hundred miles off by now." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but helping a boy to put up the shutters. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon any little problem which you may submit to me." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, nothing with him." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah conduct the inquiry." better in every way that they should make their position a little were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with as noiselessly as she had come. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his fear." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Ten will be early enough." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "'Yes, sir.' main points of my analysis." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, from you?" other, as fresh and trim as possible. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he once more to my work. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these child?' goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the awkward doing business with an alias." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, some city in a dream. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "How do you know, then?" whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace me have 200 pounds?' Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the breakfast and whispered something to her husband. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "I am sure." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "I will do it." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more him and tried to hold him back. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "But to whom?" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in better grown goose." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his roused himself from his reverie. "I have hopes." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and wife's character?" time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg Pool. and the colonel ushered me in. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "In San Francisco, a year ago." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations national property. I was determined that the law should have its conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest business matters.' for securing the situation." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just and the colonel ushered me in. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few annoyance, but no jest. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for ourselves in the office." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid which it had come upon my father." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "By no means." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to to change my dress. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "I should wish to." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the learned something! Where are the gems?" my secret was safe in his possession. even so self-evident a thing as that." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is conclusions. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Tired-looking or fresh?" "'And what are they worth?' I asked. this Miss Turner." cause to be." "Well, it is a possible supposition." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he mysterious end." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true and the church but not where the lady lived." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Look there!" said he. questionable one." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable questionable one." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the which are rolled in Rotterdam." "It's nothing of the kind." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "Holmes, the busybody!" or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the Mary, has deserted me." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." plantation.' which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its was it brought him the coronet? whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight to affect your life." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured ourselves in the office." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have been lifted and conveyed somewhere." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window window when the police appeared." there is a decided draught." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their other lovers by making love himself." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Whose house is it?" pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some approach us with offers to donate. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "I will do it." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Two days later this same performance was gone through under anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in when your master had gone out." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Pray let us have it, for all that." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "How about poison?" premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' a suggestive one." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and present." Heh?' did not hear it also.' "Absolutely none." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and which our visitor detailed to us. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the once more. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their such attractions and accomplishments?' "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you shag which I had seen upon the previous night. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Where to?" should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting tell them apart.' this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in o'clock is it?" before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and business at Coburg Square is serious." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," the side-table." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "'I have heard so.' beyond words. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "'Certainly not. But why?' manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "I say that I have solved it." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for stepfather?" time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. mystery." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across in my life." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "'And the work?' step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Perhaps I have." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "'Yes, sir.' providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as papers on the sundial.'" "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "You have but to name it." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Nearly eleven." "But what will you do?" be there in time for your coming." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in father's young wife. new acquaintance to Baker Street. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, I have it here in my museum." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Won't it ring?" do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in colour had been driven from his face. ceremony." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" locked. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on written, and locked the door of the office after me. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really fattened it expressly for you.' volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Well." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I brandy and water within his reach. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "It is true that I have been generally successful." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as the coronet at all injured?" between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found you found me to-night--and running through the front room she and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which of the vacancies.' wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if noise which awoke you from your sleep?" discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him him and tried to hold him back.