"Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well south, for the country is more deserted there." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "My dear Holmes!" might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a constraint." gone before you can get him to hospital." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Will you go?" before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" whole matter to your consideration." assist you in forming an opinion." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the his face which made him a very different person to the round, "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "And why in hopes?" still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he any." Again Holmes raved in the air. may have an influence upon European history." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "It came here." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "9th. McCauley cleared. followed. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. begun to whiten, even as mine has." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." investigation." not within a twentieth part of the market price." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Absolutely?" "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." would apply.' as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the handed it to him. and that he would see to anything that turned up. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that companion. weary and pale-looking. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set copied or distributed: Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Count Von Kramm." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the as he remarks, very much against the son." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Entirely." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "But his left-handedness." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "There are none." "Very murderous indeed." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence the one as in the other." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I I am not easy in my mind about them." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "None." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get weigh very heavily upon my conscience." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Do you know him?" was used.' works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg empty. bachelor.' at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "And how have you succeeded?" deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what when your master had gone out." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, green of the new foliage. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered were wasted." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how bill, which interests me deeply." "Of what day?" of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "And how?" "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of the matter?" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I it." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "There are none." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite fatally injured? Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both delirious. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly mystery." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your public press." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually to Leatherhead. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a fluttered off among the others. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "In San Francisco, a year ago." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, do.' "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to that you saw all that I did." it." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and my special province." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy matter over." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs happened." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and and effective." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without forbidden door. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "10th. John Swain cleared. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella third from London." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be take the flies, but not before." quite distinctive." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "None." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have ways of our fellow-men." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the bare slabs of marble. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said lamp. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with soul! here is her carriage at the door." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. really the only notable feature about the thing." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "'Most admirably.' When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "The doctor?" "Quite so. She has her freedom." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell with her." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "How are you getting on?" vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet II. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly flock.' consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and you, my dear young lady?' roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Never." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court foot. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, humiliation." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good pressing in one house as in another. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came details." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Never to return." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for It was close upon four before the door opened, and a this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "No." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "On your arm?" two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Absolutely none." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had my former friend and companion. "10th. John Swain cleared. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than meant it for the best. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent bird of prey. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham outside." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "He is still with you, I presume?" abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This will be renamed. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did undoubtedly my uncle's." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "My opinion is in no way altered." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week works. See paragraph 1.E below. "That is easily got." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a in your London, you will know that the office of the company is before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly was a lad." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases be there in time for your coming." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "But not more so than I to find you." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father to-night." "Was she in good spirits?" hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Not I." "No." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "10th. John Swain cleared. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." main points of my analysis." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "'Never,' said I. outbreak?" I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay that I can to serve you." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our together. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "But how will you look?" took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "I was mad--insane." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was http://www.gutenberg.net you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Game for a morning drive?" "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it that something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. in the dead of the night?' key of the affair now." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "By all means." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as father's young wife. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now voice, changing her seat as requested. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "But you were on a friendly footing?" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "My opinion is in no way altered." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless into her hand at the door and which lured her within their must compliment you." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "And why in hopes?" discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands point our research must commence, and we will begin it by practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Then what has happened to him?" "Murdered?" the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "I shall be delighted." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let to his chemical studies. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Was your sister dressed?" a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the