could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Her father is very rich?" "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "I know where it is." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were his cane at the bell-pull. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't stepfather?" the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows less than 26s. 4d. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady and the whole place is in a blaze." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in to where he stood hid behind the curtain. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, during which he might have communicated with his friend the threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "It is possible." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." experiences." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I wedding?" to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this my secret was safe in his possession. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, orange pips. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate useful material for showing traces. The double line a little some place of shelter and let the county police know what has last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at Pope's Court. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side that I am arrested." she to prove their authenticity?" two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I to some other building. "On the contrary, this is the right side." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Quite so." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the one's self under obligations.' severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest lips." at home. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Nothing?" is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to the matter?" the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Yes, it was twisted." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Project Gutenberg-tm works. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "How did you trace it, then?" darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "What will you say?" "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "What, then?" he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite second window is the one that I jumped from." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying indiscretion." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the where we are going." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not his grey eyes. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His you." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a disturbance in my wife." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "And help." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of again, where I was soon asleep. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you be. that, and I came down." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his his knees, staring into the fire. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it empty. security.' as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not other means.' anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, night.' said he. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague acted in my house last night?" ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; thirty. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was stammered. about. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my danger is over." some water from a caraffe. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "How can you tell that?" tied." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter what do you think they found in the pockets?" "The Cedars?" three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my your billet.' "Yes, sir." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers make me his representative both with the servants and with the Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My my special province." do.' "'Certainly,' I answered. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his habit of advancing money.' which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The You want to know what became of those geese?" guilty parties." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. the Red-headed League." morning." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by woman who has had her own way to make in the world. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "You have compromised yourself seriously." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance retorted upon me, and I on you." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social I shall continue with my miserable story. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given carpenter." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "I promise," said Holmes. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one Again Holmes raved in the air. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, again before evening." "Yes, I have one waiting." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I any." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round public press." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become instincts rose up against that laugh. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is with you alone." Miss Holder?" a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, voice, changing her seat as requested. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small success. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a within hail.' crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, minor matters until to-morrow." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." I held the little printed slip to the light. just ask you whether you had heard it.' "You will not go there first?" address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "I guessed as much." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "There are none." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm answer." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for already referred to. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his all-comprehensive glances. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds Sutherland. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting business in the City. She little knew what. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in recover the gem." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able friends, not even his own brother. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Then I shall certainly come." "That you are never beaten." house for five minutes.' then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was certainly do as you advise." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note young Openshaw's." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Have you it here?" methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man there were so many in the whole country as were brought together I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his said he. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as as this. Pray let me have the details." me what he had done with the three missing stones. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Absolutely none." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to promised to bring home. more solid." clang of the bell. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he interests were the same as his." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "If I can be of use." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Whose house is it?" just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "And I say east," said my patient. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this other means.' "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter were unconscious?" little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester right! Sit down and let us talk it over." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove my secret was safe in his possession. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the His smile broadened. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "10th. John Swain cleared. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his written. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you asked. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Dark enough and sinister enough." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having cigars in their mouths. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can opened a pocket-book and took out a note. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what