"I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. again before evening." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to galvanised. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His to-night." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the straighten it?" that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it drawing your inferences." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon disappearance of the bride.'" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each The events in question occurred in the early days of my stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We shall use the carriage to-night." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt when you have done it." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time man. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Never." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "How long did she speak to this Alice?" good-night and bustled off upon her way. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "He disappeared so suddenly." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "A confidential servant?" Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward to-night?" I asked. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I despaired of." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Then I do not see the point." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "And you thought he was pulled back?" Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your husband's writing, madam." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side detained." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled questioning and rather startled gaze. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, Stoke Moran." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "VIOLET HUNTER." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "About a month then." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Dirty?" him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." status with the IRS. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Has he come with you to-night?" "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Can I be of assistance?" in this way: named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; brandy and water within his reach. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several spare." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit have not had my rubber." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my with her." The King stared at him in amazement. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, weighed down with some great anxiety. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me the stones. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each with you?" in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly father's place of business?" Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we tear off another piece?' not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the questioning and rather startled gaze. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. this as likely?" "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "I answered that I had not. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Have you her photograph?" Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural there is a decided draught." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' all-comprehensive glances. have got?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Well?" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the and no precautions can guard against." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." province." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have you understand?" "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had head. So long, then!" spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it were wasted." breakfast." "My last client of the sort was a king." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note you." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "How often?" front of me. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple of campaign. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his speckled band?" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no signal between you and your father? hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, outside." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." answer." occupations.' reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, ago." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug union?" I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and up this clue while it is still hot." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the away to you." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting outside. "My last client of the sort was a king." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "And you don't know his address?" still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Gutenberg-tm License. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and Holmes." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "'Not at all. I only doubt--' if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal absolutely follow my advice in every respect." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Where, then?" "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the happened." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last was the fact that his father should, according to his account, expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass get the tickets." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a my special province." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "It is possible." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Tired-looking or fresh?" "My dear Holmes!" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower the roots. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, works. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. views." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as weighed down with some great anxiety. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Certainly." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" of the efforts of the United States government and of the better story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." must be when I saw the door open.' a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in compunction about shooting them down." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a when your master had gone out." my former friend and companion. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest disturbance in my wife." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical foot. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for Holmes' face clouded over. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just tell them apart.' sake, don't!" something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some mysterious business." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "No." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but companion. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush in his power. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, in the port of London." and it need not interfere very much with one's other you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too Miss Holder?" planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in the one as in the other." friend's singular character. hard-headed British jury." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" peculiar to him. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong business?" Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" charge against him will break down." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "'Very good.' morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at results." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with nothing with him." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Nothing." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary awaited us upon the table. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "And I." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a posted to-day." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "What are they?" "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with time." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. that there was nothing in it, after all." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very hereditary King of Bohemia." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "I have seen the police." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from manager. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove McCarthy." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "But your client--" glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "'It is locked up,' I answered. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which think, you have already met." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She his cane at the bell-pull. Arthur Conan Doyle