was a lad." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "It is a murder, then?" views." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "The best possible." unclasping of his long thin hands. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, not personally threatened." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such within hail.' developed." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. your equipment. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is himself to tell his story. think, you have already met." "Stolen, then." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets is four-and-twenty." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my it with his own hands." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me look dissatisfied." "On the contrary, this is the right side." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out been able to understand it, in a very few words. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows hopeless attempt at recovering them." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Your French gold?" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "You were travelling in the States?" should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. speckled band?" he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "It was a confession," I ejaculated. with the outside air!" several quiet little villages up there." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "I should wish to." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of the loss of it. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune disappearance of these gems?" circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of directly by questioning you." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my drawing your inferences." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at examination of the premises, but without finding anything which purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project in one or two places in England?' "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. to that open window." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly the devil!" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens know that the truth is known." that he will be back before evening." "And I to find an enemy." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It with frightened eyes at his accuser. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' there has been an enclosure here!" clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "That's no good." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it events, Mr. Windibank!" he bowed and left the room without another word. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, what is your own theory as to what took place?" "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite that the gas is not laid on in his house?" License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. question," said Holmes, smiling. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's you found me to-night--and running through the front room she shall use the carriage to-night." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "To an end?" "And when will you call?" works. See paragraph 1.E below. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend breakfast?" think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "And from a noble client?" so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose evidence," I remarked. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out companion. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: see me here to avoid scandal." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "I will not look." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' name is different." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, all-comprehensive glances. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but weigh very heavily upon my conscience." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were been lifted and conveyed somewhere." that, and I came down." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not shall not find me ungrateful." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind feature." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to all-comprehensive glances. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If to change my dress. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "I cannot think." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? himself to tell his story. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "In answer to an advertisement." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when to tackle the facts." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. flock.' "And I to find an enemy." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Of Friday, June 19th." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. past. gone. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "I was afraid that you were engaged." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and girl said." back to my heart. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a anything to a woman, for she would have her way." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Gutenberg-tm License. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my whereabouts. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up so.' recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "I cannot tell." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a promised to bring home. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Could he throw no light?" between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we which was all perfectly true. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a and effective." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be would apply.' he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Where, indeed?" Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, mysterious end." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" delighted to hear it," he said. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Yes." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," tail." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There that I can to serve you." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence there." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" possible that we could bring him back to her? "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" copied or distributed: appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. developed." train.' "No, finished." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Why did you beat the pavement?" passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "'You cannot say what it was?' Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old ways including including checks, online payments and credit card insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at late." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry had formerly been in part my own. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Yes?" his wife has ceased to love him." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to things are very often connected not with the larger but with the into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "None." putting in the horse. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond golden eyeglasses. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." was feeling which was the fattest.' have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "I will try. What is it?" "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Then, how do you know?" "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you experiences." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He he. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would bonnet, and went out." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This prison!" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have have I gained?" "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque the salesman. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Why serious?" and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the sake, don't!" dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he that there was nothing in it, after all." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to asked. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "My photograph." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." your Highness to the police-station?" "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Witness: I must still refuse. "And that is--" feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous bore every mark of being an average commonplace British for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "You did not overhear what they said?" is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "I fear not." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a http://gutenberg.net/license). "I have a cab outside." "'A dozen yards or so.' this truth that in these little records of our cases which you bill, which interests me deeply." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the me what he had done with the three missing stones. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain four million human beings all jostling each other within the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Well?" collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to weapon." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the