"What! a murderous attack?" Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it who was a member of your goose club." your bag." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you things are very often connected not with the larger but with the labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has strong and stiff." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, arrested. You then--" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Yes, that is the Crown." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Who was the criminal, then?" smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "What then?" "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Yes, the wine-cellar." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Do you know him?" There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in even so self-evident a thing as that." "Dark enough and sinister enough." my room." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in sit on the left-hand side of the driver." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "I beg pardon." not fit the lock." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "It must be recovered." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the simple cases which are so extremely difficult." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort of note-paper. It read in this fashion: trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a events, Mr. Windibank!" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he think, you have already met." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to his wife has ceased to love him." "'And the work?' have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always tail." "Why did you beat the pavement?" "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, said he. "A greater distance to travel." hard-headed British jury." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "That was it, sir." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "BALLARAT." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" digesting their breakfasts at home." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that But Holmes shook his head gravely. hands. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Certainly." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner present." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled was a lad." "None. Neville wrote those words." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon to a light-house. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone problems help me to do so." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was national property. I was determined that the law should have its and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the character. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET look dissatisfied." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you with you?" "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far DISSOLVED. "Then, as to money?" Farm upon the left." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for question. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any night.' said he. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile breakfast." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and shoulder. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "'I am sure that I do not know.' feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "No." DAMAGE. Sholtos." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Yes?" inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the begun to whiten, even as mine has." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more weigh very heavily upon my conscience." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, beg that you will break it off." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not believe that I should never have any practice at all. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he Holmes rather sternly. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless strength." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his morning." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "And why?" fire. You quite follow me?" beyond words. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me always that they were such commands as a lady might with Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which his knees, staring into the fire. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As take the flies, but not before." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "ARAT," I read. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her bare slabs of marble. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Where did you address your letters, then?" the stones. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a depend upon your compliance." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I to-night?' hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar see me here to avoid scandal." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to prisoner's face. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue chance." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Certainly." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "And now?" He raised his hand. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Has he come with you to-night?" "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "I say it is." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the congenial hunt. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "It is possible." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "It was." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by wedding?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His it." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Yes, from Horsham." Eyford." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was shadow pass over his face as I spoke. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he the devil!" "Yes. He waved his hands." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the child?' informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen them, and came down just as you departed. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have Holmes' room. I nodded again. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would views." "I assure you that I am in your hands." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the as noiselessly as she had come. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "A client, then?" accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It hardly wander." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. conduct the inquiry." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so direction." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "But you can know nothing of this?" would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Dr. Becher's." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a 1.F. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 cheerful." criminal. We have already had experience of such." and the whole place is in a blaze." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I the little opening for the ventilator is." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the tear off another piece?' I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, a good hundred miles off by now." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in newspaper selections." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a I took the paper from him and read as follows: "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the I was concerned in it." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" Eyford." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Why did you pick him?" to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is never to learn it at all." purpose of examination. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your was a lad." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." village inn over there?" the bed, and you in that chair." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You in. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in Stoke Moran." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "I assure you that I am in your hands." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own considering the formidable letters which were received by himself Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "I was mad--insane." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" respectable self." not fit the lock." 'please.'" pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Certainly." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a that I can to serve you." ashen face. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land