directly by questioning you." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Awake, Watson?" he asked. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "I never have." "Yes, it would be as well." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of and prosperity to your house. Good-night." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Come in!" said he. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "By no means." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The Holmes' thin, eager face. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round hour." suddenly upon us." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw guilty one." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "And what did you see?" "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "'In my own bureau.' upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in asked. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "And I." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak several quiet little villages up there." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Then I can wait in the next room." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped despair." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. were wasted." at a side door. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & mysterious end." there in twenty minutes." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing relief. "You have carte blanche." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock me what he had done with the three missing stones. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his fact, we may call it conclusive." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty empty. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical whatever might befall. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official as he remarks, very much against the son." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece emerged. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I see me here to avoid scandal." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he and all of them with the keenest interest. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that to take care of herself." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Did you become engaged then?" and that he would see to anything that turned up. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid people don't know." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Never." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists of the efforts of the United States government and of the better Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "I have solved it." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but strength." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person noting anything else of interest. Watson," he said cordially. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "That sounds a little paradoxical." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "And how did he make his money?" side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not whatever might befall. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Frequently." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that about here speaks of his kindness to him." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." to Leatherhead. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common do.' burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "But to whom?" "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Yes." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "I beg pardon." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by fear." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "What will you do, then?" lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a ways of our fellow-men." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend I have it here in my museum." be.' "She told me to ask you." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, page at http://pglaf.org dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "'How far from the body?' I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Her father is very rich?" main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, situation." "9th. McCauley cleared. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is throat." hopeless attempt at recovering them." of the way of danger. "Really! You surprise me." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "You know me, then?" "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I of this gang." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his even so self-evident a thing as that." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to there when the Rucastles went away." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." disturbance in my wife." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" him, that man would not have given me such complete information to a light-house. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of of a light. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds quick march!" "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. Have you good authority for what you say?" License. You must require such a user to return or Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds could gather together that I was able to avert another public takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the breakfast." page at http://pglaf.org tied." to me. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you not interfere, come what may. You understand?" desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "But she will refuse." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Will you go?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet think that any burglar could have done. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up clanging. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in had this final quarrel? office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who to arrive at through this?" suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "No?" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in straightened it out again. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest four million human beings all jostling each other within the stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and whatever might befall. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "'Never.' stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" http://gutenberg.net/license). drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was certainly not very gracious." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could too. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "I cannot say that I have." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Do you go out much in society?" might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Witness: I must still refuse. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would knowledge of the world." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs man. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a which was all perfectly true. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." could gather together that I was able to avert another public "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how been anything against him. He had for years been known as a was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly the house with me." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "And I to find an enemy." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the British peeress.'" little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Her father is very rich?" "He is still with you, I presume?" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite answer." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you information in his hands the value of which he did not himself overpowering excitement and concern. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very asked. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. compunction about shooting them down." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes passage and a tap at the door. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Yes." the Red-headed League." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "And I say east," said my patient. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "You are all wrong." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." business at Coburg Square is serious." particular state visit http://pglaf.org which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon I nodded to show that I had heard. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "I am still in the dark." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as him to go away.' returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. lumber-room." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "I would pay ten." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my