"So I heard. You have him here?" hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "I guessed as much." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me against a man in the prime of life?" done what I asked you, Jones?" other means.' "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no read it out to me." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." once more for Briony Lodge. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the paper in the air. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very speckled band?" "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' plantation.' broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by Leadenhall Street--and--" His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke depend upon your compliance." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite his face which made him a very different person to the round, to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the respectable self." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the records." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "It was." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "I fear not." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Yes, sir." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "'There is a drive, then?' Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg if she died from some sudden fright." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a lumber-room." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" emerged. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Well." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I mystery may be cleared along those lines." always that they were such commands as a lady might with as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Won't it ring?" that I may have something better before very many minutes are 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they chill to my heart. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his to where he stood hid behind the curtain. fled together." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." becomes even more simple." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found becomes even more simple." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen to his chemical studies. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Very murderous indeed." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker to-night?" I asked. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the you came in." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Not in the least." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "It is very clear." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the believe that I should never have any practice at all. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "And what then?" who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Will you go?" puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "That is not always so easy." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a touch that coronet?' may have an influence upon European history." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "'I am sure if I had known--' "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking away in different directions, and I went off to make my own the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the what is your own theory as to what took place?" "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Stolen." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he formed some opinion?" 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Yes, I have one waiting." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "In San Francisco, a year ago." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Then what has happened to him?" gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged sentimental considerations in the background which would induce perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace what is your own theory as to what took place?" happened." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of towards the blaze. "10th. John Swain cleared. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. asked with his eyes open. in a friendly supper." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but front of the hall door has given its name to the place. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the closing the door. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in individual and becomes the badge of a society." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's crime. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter of fine shops and stately business premises that they really air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Certainly." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the cigars in the box." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' country, and eventually married, without anyone having a week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about you do it in twenty minutes!' bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in himself to hunt down. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "'Certainly,' I answered. wedding?" children over to America with him, so that I found myself without jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble away into the river." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "'A dozen yards or so.' "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me it. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." only touch the interest." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "My own seal." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated room had already been engaged for us. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed helping a boy to put up the shutters. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. know that the truth is known." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what name is different." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then away to you." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was Heh?' carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now skylight. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you see me here to avoid scandal." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a I nodded again. "'Ten to two.' past. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "And on what day did he meet his death?" "But how did you gain them?" how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to this man was intellectual?" down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There bled considerably." which are rolled in Rotterdam." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "It is his hat." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Precisely." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm think that he is innocent?" do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "A greater distance to travel." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At of campaign. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Oh, yes, easily." constraint." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Just look it up, then." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "But of what society?" "Which are?" firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "And the cigar-holder?" nothing with him." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said has little to do with my story." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to everything which you would wish to know." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "What have you done?" asked Holmes. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of business." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "But you would not advise me to refuse?" of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the might help us?" "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "No, distinctly professional." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "'Tell me all about it,' said I. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A orange pips. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do friends, not even his own brother. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Whose house is it?" passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton hardly wander." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, might have a private word with us. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about question you as to those details which seem to me to be most this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "And why in hopes?" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "And is that all?" He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a most important business. It is probable that he will be away all you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my reach." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "By all means." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he look dissatisfied." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he DAMAGE. conceal it?" "We must sit without light. He would see it through the Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some there!' with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." out." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." official police." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we least a most suspicious remark." presume?" our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" case-book, which he consulted. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll indiscretion." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was