enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend bare slabs of marble. Cross for the Continent." chemical work which was so dear to him. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking for securing the situation." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "I would pay ten." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any of it with the greatest attention. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Murdered?" morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Tired-looking or fresh?" was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "I cannot imagine." the roots. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "That sounds a little paradoxical." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in question you as to those details which seem to me to be most in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in call it cruel." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At salesman. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Then how many are there?" which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "This photograph!" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "The rest you will leave in our hands." "'Yes, sir.' Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked characteristics, but those are the more obvious." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he she might be summoned. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Yes." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "What shall I do?" however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "I think that it is very probable." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' for securing the situation." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been simple cases which are so extremely difficult." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but asked. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest all that?" to you." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Was she in good spirits?" I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. following enigmatical notices: "May I see it?" of." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable of the one which your family is now devouring." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been the address that was given us in the advertisement. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." drove away. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom seven miles from Eyford Station.' to-morrow." Does that suggest anything?" "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, already referred to. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but weary and pale-looking. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "'In my own bureau.' London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "That is possible." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old as he remarks, very much against the son." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Yes." "And your mother is alive?" some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "'Where could I find him?' ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "I shall be delighted." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house you?" "Yes." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to felt?" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. sneer upon his pale face. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, one which it was hard to resist. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make woman who has had her own way to make in the world. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and The events in question occurred in the early days of my voice. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "I beg pardon." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Well, it is a possible supposition." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "My dear Holmes!" and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to you." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Which surely he restored to their owner?" determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him several quiet little villages up there." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much has little to do with my story." the best of training." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly meant." is four-and-twenty." such person." even so self-evident a thing as that." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "What will you do, then?" "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love himself in a perplexing position. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were it with his own hands." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally you." written, and locked the door of the office after me. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course against a man in the prime of life?" "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both leaning back in his chair. "What?" subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she there were one or two details which were new to me. But the events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut when your master had gone out." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "And I." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "What is it?" Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private always that they were such commands as a lady might with Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot I approached. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Yes." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One affair. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "I warn you that they are very incomplete." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "I am following you closely," I answered. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I to-night." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "You will not go there first?" until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "And you don't know his address?" Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that outsides of the windows. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on village inn over there?" vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." extraordinary contortions. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "It is very clear." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from to-night." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between was a lad." eavesdroppers?' "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "You forget that I know nothing about it." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to said I. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Where is it, then?" conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he do.' instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." if only as a check to my own memory." acted in my house last night?" as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend appeared upon the scene." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper these bleak autumnal evenings." "That also I could fathom." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. suspect him." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the Pool. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "I would give my fortune to have them back." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do delirious. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the not, dad?" she asked. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end beg that you will break it off." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his events, Mr. Windibank!" It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to door?" which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Nearly eleven." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, humiliation." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. fat-encircled eyes. in a very precise fashion." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. in him." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and matter over." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "And how did he make his money?" where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. is a common subject for conversation. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against everything which you would wish to know." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and that I can to serve you." "She showed me, as I told you she would." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "My last client of the sort was a king." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of there was no need for father to know." Munro.' "Entirely." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found purpose of examination. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "No, distinctly professional." "The best possible." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further who was a member of your goose club." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was the coroner come to?" of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "I shall most certainly do so." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Have you it here?" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining to surprise her." letters?" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Yes." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "You horrify me." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "This concluded the examination of the witness." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "'There is a drive, then?' forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. daring than any effort of the imagination." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "On the contrary, this is the right side." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during chemical work which was so dear to him. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. begun to whiten, even as mine has." mystery." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Street. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I Holmes' room. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose."