the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "You know me, then?" steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many beg that you will break it off." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they soul! here is her carriage at the door." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Not I." highly," said Holmes. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "'I shall certainly be there.' considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into was the fact that his father should, according to his account, was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her ago." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the this Miss Turner." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in entirely devoid of interest." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. the bed, and you in that chair." "But it has twice been burgled." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a and glanced through. "What! You do not mean bodies?" minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as yet." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was not within a twentieth part of the market price." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. awaited us upon the table. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow he died? married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and was a lad." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Very. But will he see it?" "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Nor running a chance of arrest?" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery Pool. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each my special province." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of chemical work which was so dear to him. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "That is unusual in a young girl." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the less than 26s. 4d. "I am sure." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old visitors." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, friend's singular character. "Yes. He waved his hands." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets what these perils are?" tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit for and were ordered to this address. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "You know me, then?" out." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "You have a clue?" however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands my room." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Yes, it was twisted." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "It is possible." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "No." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "Yes, all." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in the King without delay." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Can I be of assistance?" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works bedroom door." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a to tackle the facts." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the shoulder; "he's all right." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must at once, for I have only half an hour." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "One horse?" interjected Holmes. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "You saw the ventilator, too?" laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from allusion to a rat. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out was used.' his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a chance at all." row." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "So it appears." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" there." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found into the room. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Perhaps we may make them less so." ran thus: touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in lids now and glanced across at his visitor. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have to affect your life." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." prison!" "The gentleman I describe." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. them, and came down just as you departed. this poor creature." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "You have a clue?" "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "And how did he make his money?" twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "My photograph." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most beg that you will break it off." him to be an active member of the medical profession." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally that you can jump it.' "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "'And the work?' he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. the address that was given us in the advertisement. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a not interfere, come what may. You understand?" you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is we went to search for him, face downward in a little who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "How can you tell that?" brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client true." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do felt the room to be a little close.' to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "You saw the ventilator, too?" impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This door?" "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit that he has suffered." "To the police?" still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "I shall be delighted." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." over part of the map. "What do you read?" about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "My own seal." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." look upon these things in a different way." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked indeed happy." "Ample." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains in his power. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "How did that help you?" quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads have had none more fantastic than this." carried out of court." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience in my life." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." been." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and open." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very easy-going way." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. enter into my head. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for again on its way. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Your French gold?" essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Yes, they were peculiar boots." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the felt the room to be a little close.' "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to writers could invent nothing more crude." "I was sure that I might rely on you." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: written, and locked the door of the office after me. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to that you wished to speak to me?' that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had been." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "That you are never beaten." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which dead, shall be safe with us." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Upon what point?" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "That is not always so easy." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "It looks newer than the other things?" "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips in a friendly supper." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully said he. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You Eyford at 11:15.' You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" present." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was corner of the building. "But how?" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Yes." "One?" sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked tell him that I know him to be innocent." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." with the outside air!" friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! tell them apart.' "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, or in danger--" seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and next day. enter into my head. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the simple cases which are so extremely difficult." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Oh, the cause is excellent!" look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat carpenter." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper ways of our fellow-men." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Game for a morning drive?" matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced call the police, let the police find what they can.' States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a your co-operation." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had