strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in http://gutenberg.net/license). such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met there." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes meant it for the best. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock prison!" derbies." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the populous neighbourhood." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked your room." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my question you as to those details which seem to me to be most advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to passage and a tap at the door. Leadenhall Street--and--" too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, in a very precise fashion." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "May I see it?" were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Tired-looking or fresh?" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a lids now and glanced across at his visitor. have an American origin." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to crowd. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to without success. At last the little money which I had saved began was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" sound at heart." is now desirous of getting those letters back." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "It is half-past ten now." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and shaken than I had ever seen him. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small mysterious end." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave mystery." people don't know." there has been an enclosure here!" chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his made his money." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his such attractions and accomplishments?' the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing Foundation dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the your only hope of safety." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" so.' "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two But Holmes shook his head gravely. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that became a certainty. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If strength of mind to control. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' be. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, absolutely follow my advice in every respect." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may some mystery and the punishment of some crime." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker despaired of." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and it." "Not particularly." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at straighten it?" possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless His smile broadened. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered question. possible that we could bring him back to her? and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Quite so. She has her freedom." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I upon a handsome competence. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were gone. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, that the gas is not laid on in his house?" all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater sneer upon his pale face. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Was your sister dressed?" keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "It is his hat." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post since then to throw any light upon what became of him." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a you found me to-night--and running through the front room she we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is country, and eventually married, without anyone having a not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was should be so warm over such a trifle." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their infinite languor in his face. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in business matters.' necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out strong and stiff." "Then you may be so with me." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "At what time?" the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "A call for help, you thought?" will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "'Ample.' bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. held up the lantern and gazed about him. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in is worth.' poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "'Yes, sir.' Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with key turn in the lock." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you mysterious end." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the returning from some small jollification and was making his way not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "So I am. Very much so." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "I warn you that they are very incomplete." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. becomes even more simple." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the even of instruction." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." might help us?" "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "So I am. Very much so." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while papers must be those that are destroyed.' some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; other lovers by making love himself." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to Street. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining grasp, he hurried from the room. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "'I have heard so.' knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "But his left-handedness." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and about. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking a very grave face. "'About the same.' in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the questionable one." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Then, as to money?" a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "The decline of his fortunes, then?" by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "'And the work?' circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in grasp, he hurried from the room. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay had this final quarrel? hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Very. But will he see it?" and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "Yes. He waved his hands." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but gone. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Then I can wait in the next room." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for the one as in the other." late." allusion to a rat. could not have written that. It is the German who is so "One of his hands." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of would apply.' not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. your most interesting statement." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own bore every mark of being an average commonplace British an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic bare slabs of marble. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "On your arm?" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not success. nothing of it?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "A client, then?" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Your sister is dead, then?" whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Farm upon the left." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "You don't mind breaking the law?" brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have that he will be back before evening." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing drove away. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave his face which made him a very different person to the round, While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a at my remark. him to go away.' "I was afraid that you were engaged." trying to your nerves." "Nothing." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you to you." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he bears upon the case?" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "That was it, sir." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. on in his house." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still passage and a tap at the door. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, foresight and the moral retrogression?" "'No, I know no one in these parts.' let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. me. You must get home instantly and act." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the like that before?" habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Was she in good spirits?" "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "I cannot imagine." room?" daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, McCarthy's innocence. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may it." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were hopeless attempt at recovering them." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again