"It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." I nodded to show that I had heard. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "'Yes, sir.' "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems I was concerned in it." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You into the bag, and made for the door. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six unprecedented a position." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your look dissatisfied." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "I think that it is very probable." stammered. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father fled together." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said sparkled upon his finger. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this triumphant cloud from his cigarette. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have you." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or entirely devoid of interest." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." that there was nothing in it, after all." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am fear." chambers. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you third from London." fat-encircled eyes. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "It was a confession," I ejaculated. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most strength in the others." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "It is no ordinary one." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" nonsense.' My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an suddenly upon us." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a affection." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who know what is wrong with it.' despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "My dear Holmes!" Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two cost them two and thirty pounds." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the window when the police appeared." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "It is possible." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. affair. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "That is easily got." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of where we are going." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg new acquaintance to Baker Street. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has even of instruction." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "In heaven's name, what for?" ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Ah!" her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she it. papers must be those that are destroyed.' the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from villagers almost as much as their master. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I McCarthy." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the to have that photograph." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the page at http://pglaf.org scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was your bag." My friend smiled. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "'What do you call purely nominal?' this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised But Holmes shook his head gravely. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in seen the man in the road." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, became a certainty. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the followed. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "You saw the ventilator, too?" elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more correct than the official force." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "What! You do not mean bodies?" probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is friend's singular character. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I little trying to do so much typewriting?" whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. the ceiling. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head footfalls from the street. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." ways of our fellow-men." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white over with notes and figures. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to not come at once?" travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the I nodded again. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are as yours." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind and wait." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, comes from the middle window." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Entirely." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long looking up at the numbers of the houses." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves not personally threatened." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Why, what do you mean?" the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend was lame." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not do." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own salesman. the driver. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that the station." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "But your client--" "Very murderous indeed." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "No." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then bare slabs of marble. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. never will be, entirely cleared up. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the standing smiling on the door-step. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. of it with the greatest attention. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Project Gutenberg-tm works. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Yes, that is the Crown." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Your French gold?" there." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "No." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought possible that we could bring him back to her? Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But business." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "But we can't all be." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after John Swain, of St. Augustine. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "No more words. Get out!" saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; tell him that I know him to be innocent." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case some place of shelter and let the county police know what has have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the hardly wander." in a very precise fashion." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, 1.F. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and this remarkable episode. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging it." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. bearing upon the case." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its Chief Executive and Director just called myself is not exactly my own." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, you in yours." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, me where it went to?" Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to chance at all." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. was feeling which was the fattest.' "I am sure." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six Count Von Kramm." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Farm upon the left." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the II. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in of note-paper. It read in this fashion: in this note: be.' Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "The rest you will leave in our hands." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. enter into my head. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to this remarkable episode. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A voice, changing her seat as requested. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we walking." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always been anything against him. He had for years been known as a cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one him nearly every evening." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a orange pips. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. asked. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "'Never,' said I. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country the iron safe, which he closed upon it. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Murdered?" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "What do you make of that, Watson?" as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' just ask you whether you had heard it.' bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "That is not always so easy." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in that I may have something better before very many minutes are you for a few hours?" sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been