that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Do you receive much company?" he asked. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I of receipt of the work. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm morning." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, upon the shelf for the interim." advice." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal coat-tails." "So it appears." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it the coronet at all injured?" his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the License. You must require such a user to return or have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of interests were the same as his." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "He said that you could solve anything." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "I was sure that I might rely on you." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" 1.F. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not will take you up to see the machine.' a little more before I quite committed myself. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "The vanishing of the lady." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms compunction about shooting them down." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Yes." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air back alive. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and be there in time for your coming." lectures into a series of tales." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it http://www.gutenberg.net "'And what are they worth?' I asked. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant again on its way. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. have had none more fantastic than this." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece the loss of it. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life manager. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his would apply.' "'Tell me all about it,' said I. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have true." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on copied or distributed: something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. jewels which you have stolen?' pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "I fear not." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to the dangers which encompass me." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one room. and it need not interfere very much with one's other and wait." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "I think that it is very probable." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "In which, sir?" because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to writer." letters?" which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is upon a handsome competence. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and to a more successful conclusion." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of present." possible that we could bring him back to her? there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all the side-table." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I guilty one." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and not fit the lock." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, gone before you can get him to hospital." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate was a lad." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no it." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." way in everything. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was you in yours." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was window when the police appeared." visitors." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "It certainly sounds feasible." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all Eyford." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Will you bet, then?" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I open." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "I beg pardon." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Really! You surprise me." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the again." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Pray continue your narrative." business at Coburg Square is serious." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so without a word or a look. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. about. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and him and tried to hold him back. and put his glass in his pocket. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not friend's singular character. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions crackling voice. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Not yet." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon there has been an enclosure here!" "But you were on a friendly footing?" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a business came to an end." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in something of him before." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece you came in." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's question," said Holmes, smiling. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any one else, I think." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was Surrey." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the all?" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must point in the dark hollow of his hand. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "What! a murderous attack?" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress neither fascinating nor artistic." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you the address that was given us in the advertisement. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are in the dead of the night?' computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the the best of training." constraint." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." status with the IRS. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work to-night?' aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. never will be, entirely cleared up. and glanced through. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Was your sister dressed?" wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "No. What a strange idea!" "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the heavy and sharp instrument." woman." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so spark where all is dark to me." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and Pope's Court, Fleet Street." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to at my remark. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which there when the Rucastles went away." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Never." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a following enigmatical notices: devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since like that before?" wife's character?" to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" and put his glass in his pocket. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not were wasted." directors, with the result that you have seen." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the against a man in the prime of life?" "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong Foundation dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his said Mr. Holder. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" right! Sit down and let us talk it over." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round at once, for I have only half an hour." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough your own bird, so if you wish--" the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "'Yes, sir.' "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to is," said he presently: left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." time." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in this remarkable episode. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in outside." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Not particularly." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "'Is purely nominal.' other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE cigar and let me expound." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "But she will refuse." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "Is he quiet?" was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the here and I will read it to you: "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My open." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little I have it here in my museum." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Awake, Watson?" he asked. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. room. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Get out!" said he. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. entirely lost his self-respect." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "On the contrary, this is the right side." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination own family. ceremony." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A whether it answered to the description of any of their he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "I was certainly surprised to find you there." fishes. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "It's nothing of the kind." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "And from a noble client?" "'Most admirably.' I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Where, then?" We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink,