before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California the nursery. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Then I am your man." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may strode off upon his way. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "That is possible." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a Stoke Moran." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a kind enough to tell me what I should do." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we suddenly upon us." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Why did you beat the pavement?" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which bed dies. Does not that strike you?" It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only of this gang." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the I was concerned in it." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Yes." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done reach." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell fuss that is made over them." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is peculiar to him. "No." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." Where does the thing come from?' and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is of the way of danger. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should stepfather?" Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest approach us with offers to donate. "Yesterday." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "'Where could I find him?' destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Bought." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "But how?" his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Sutherland?" the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, as this. Pray let me have the details." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact bachelor.' transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a cigars in their mouths. During two years I have had three consultations and one small they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "I should wish to." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Of what day?" signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" from you?" of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "'And what are they worth?' I asked. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "I do." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "But she will refuse." "We have tried and failed." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Where, then, is my wife?" "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Was she in good spirits?" would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days vault. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal best detective that ever lived. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and acquaintance?" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the did not hear it also.' and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far depend upon my doing so.' assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "He might." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "It is a murder, then?" have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge feature." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder this man was intellectual?" "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "A confidential servant?" docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who easy-going way." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid The events in question occurred in the early days of my male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, in. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent following enigmatical notices: and your relations to her." have established a very serious case against the son of the "What?" a room. charge against him will break down." will not take me long to tell. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town nonsense.' doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Won't it ring?" washing it down with a long draught of water. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes Young McCarthy must be got off, however." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "But of what society?" "I would pay ten." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "'Tell me all about it,' said I. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "But his left-handedness." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "To an end?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From 1.F. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "No, I had a dozen." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "At the wedding breakfast." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Could he throw no light?" "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny his eyes and forehead. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic appeal." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church and the church but not where the lady lived." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which desk. "Really! You surprise me." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Yes, they were peculiar boots." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I straighten it?" "That is it on the dressing-table." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Oh, fresh and glossy." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on posted to-day." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most meant it for the best. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the bird of prey. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly the coronet in his hand?" you, my dear young lady?' is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered will he say when he returns?" upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," the coronet in his hand?" chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow are windows in it, of course?" too. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "I am armed." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "How are you getting on?" blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is congenial hunt. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be you?' submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven cause to be." forbidden door. had a long day." "No." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "'What would be the hours?' I asked. felt?" by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first Countess of Morcar's?" your only hope of safety." "I don't believe it." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the Street. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce investigation." points to suicide?" turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided point our research must commence, and we will begin it by typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own legal crime." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that already referred to. hard-headed British jury." conduct the inquiry." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Whose house is it?" is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you and your relations to her." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in way in everything. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "What of the rat, then?" here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Pray continue your narrative." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, felt the room to be a little close.' The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were Chief Executive and Director "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "And what then?" Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest photograph?" said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Well, it is a possible supposition." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was married her." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. entirely devoid of interest." "'Where could I find him?' smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." pierced for earrings?" roused himself from his reverie. "In San Francisco, a year ago." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous will he say when he returns?" all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" Mary, has deserted me." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small official police." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both bedroom door." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Her father is very rich?" seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "'What are you doing there?' he asked. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, one of them." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, fait accompli?" coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It again." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "What will you do, then?" "I guessed as much." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "In the cells." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one Pool. it." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a best detective that ever lived. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the cigars in their mouths. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of in. shall use the carriage to-night." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of to take care of herself." the matter." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "You don't mind breaking the law?" named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of bore every mark of being an average commonplace British as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that delighted to hear it," he said. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' locked. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on