his huge brown hands. "Get out!" said he. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship my little problems." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress passage and a tap at the door. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder you?' "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it outsides of the windows. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "I cannot say that I have." "Where, indeed?" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to copied or distributed: fuss that is made over them." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss strength in the others." him!" at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "I am to be neutral?" gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads this remarkable episode. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Then I am your man." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Stolen, then." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter as he folded up the epistle. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have me what he had done with the three missing stones. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Then how many are there?" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must cigars in the box." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "And I to find an enemy." client, rising. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and you." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked him to go away.' He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was happened." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "How did he come?" Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Not social, then?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the were new raised from a basin. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "'And the work?' to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in distance from the station, and there we found the young lady side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "There is the writing." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his note?" carriage. It was a chestnut." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "The Coroner: What do you mean? thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "I know where it is." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" them?" stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I said I. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number this unhappy family?" no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "What do you make of that, Watson?" standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "An enemy?" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Yes, it would be as well." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote trying to your nerves." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "How did he come?" fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." such person." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of trifles." extraordinary contortions. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric copied or distributed: believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Not social, then?" sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if think that any burglar could have done. redistribution. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps felt?" for its centre. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "So I heard. You have him here?" "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I subject to the trademark license, especially commercial clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' quick march!" distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as occurred." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On nice household for a young lady." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible quite distinctive." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Yes." Holmes." "Yes, sir." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon come either from the window or the door. My attention was "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. sneer upon his pale face. "At what time?" he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you asked. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot a suggestive one." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Ample." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that a very grave face. the address that was given us in the advertisement. crime. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "And Irene Adler?" Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "'What do you call purely nominal?' do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. confronted him. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the crackling voice. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, I was concerned in it." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be DISSOLVED. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." any little problem which you may submit to me." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the case before our client came into the room." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' front of me. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in man. may never be exposed to such a temptation." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Oh, the cause is excellent!" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." might have a private word with us. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Witness: I must still refuse. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "The Cedars?" forecastle of an emigrant ship. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "But you can know nothing of this?" information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly during that time.' himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly said he. matter." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." in this way: be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs again." to his chemical studies. in. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Yes." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I coroner's jury." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." hands. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices be there in time for your coming." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go your bag." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "BALLARAT." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Then you may entirely rely on me." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son standing smiling on the door-step. promised to bring home. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations James Windibank. Voilà tout!" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which there has been an enclosure here!" annoyance, but no jest. "I am to be neutral?" round with crates and massive boxes. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it particular state visit http://pglaf.org "I have solved it." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, think, you have already met." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "But what will you do?" "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. in one or two places in England?' "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than official police." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. has little to do with my story." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious fashion which was peculiar to him. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and and capable of preserving a secret.' returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the developed." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be that?' not as remarkable as your advertisement." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "A client, then?" we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "'What do you call purely nominal?' after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the John Swain, of St. Augustine. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? hour?' should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "We have tried and failed." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no just called myself is not exactly my own." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Perhaps we may make them less so." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up you." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Was she in good spirits?" it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove vanished into the darkness. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has said I. least a most suspicious remark." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on if she died from some sudden fright." were unconscious?" charged with?" "He is still with you, I presume?" to a more successful conclusion." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Well, it is a possible supposition." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, carpenter." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition were new raised from a basin. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the narrative." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Not social, then?" should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug round with crates and massive boxes. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "And from a noble client?" though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning relief. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more been with you?" so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang during the last few years, and there are many noble families to low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "Get out!" said he. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing situation." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be London for the present?" said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "And leave your case unfinished?" we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick