previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "This photograph!" your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm said he, "my real name is James Ryder." appointment with me for six o'clock?" past. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious ago." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with over part of the map. "What do you read?" the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "That's no good." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Precisely." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Tired-looking or fresh?" happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard most important business. It is probable that he will be away all more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies there were one or two details which were new to me. But the rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in them present such singular features as the strange train of now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was astonishment. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over correct than the official force." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; him!" a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the help us in this matter." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client placed his cuttings. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy there." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into someone who had been in Australia." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "I think that I had better go, Holmes." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Frequently." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "My Mary? Impossible!" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you very morning of my second wedding." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined crime." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the call you and give you the chance." dramatic, in fact." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Perfectly so." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "You are hungry," I remarked. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Certainly." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup relief. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. shaken than I had ever seen him. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "'Yes, sir.' "Texas, I think." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." London for the present?" my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, gone. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Well, it is a possible supposition." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs strode off upon his way. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that to-night's adventure." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms crowd. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Yes." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was for securing the situation." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "And did you observe any change in her then?" already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' morning." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were the very letters. But what is this written above them?' had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "And how did you verify them?" presume?" master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of a very grave face. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the nothing of it?" foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The address. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four place of silver." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" lamp. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a not interfere, come what may. You understand?" will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'About the same.' Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the was a lad." "Has he come with you to-night?" in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your my room." "That is possible." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "'Yes, sir.' "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds The King stared at him in amazement. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "You horrify me." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser formed some opinion?" a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs the general public were present, then?" "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of compunction about shooting them down." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small get the tickets." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs fact, we may call it conclusive." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Not in the least." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all better grown goose." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, disappearance of the bride.'" the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, for and were ordered to this address. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he prison!" "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his did not hear it also.' lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in for and were ordered to this address. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "What office?" "'Oh, no.' "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "A client, then?" out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three garden below. "And sit in the dark?" phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace returned to France?" to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "I do." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of point in the dark hollow of his hand. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at the warnings." that I can to serve you." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "My photograph." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my evidence," I remarked. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened not personally threatened." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Here?" "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" the best of training." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my roused himself from his reverie. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, to surprise her." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. from the brougham. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Tired-looking or fresh?" Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an intimate personal affairs in this public manner." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich heavy and sharp instrument." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he begin with, and I had not got mine yet." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the absorbing." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before both be extremely obliged.' "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "So I have heard." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "I say it is." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a retorted upon me, and I on you." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and the nursery. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their it were putty." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so approach us with offers to donate. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway his cane at the bell-pull. was it brought him the coronet? Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Yes." despaired of." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "I do." money should be paid at once.' keep the flames under. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further The King stared at him in amazement. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the Mrs. Toller serenely. photograph?" broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Well, some hundreds of times." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "It is his hat." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a more terrible than the truth. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Not particularly." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "You forget that I know nothing about it." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "My stepfather's business papers." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he a monotonous occupation." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most least a fellow-countryman. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "It surprised me." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I was lame." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a of campaign. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "'Oh, no.' sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "No, distinctly professional." the best of training." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "By train from Waterloo." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a quickly through a disagreeable task. if she died from some sudden fright." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my where we are going." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "It must be recovered." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, highroad, where all traces were lost. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you him to go away.' comes from the middle window." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." envelope. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Sutherland?" The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage