As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this could gather together that I was able to avert another public the devil!" rose-bushes. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, morning." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from may never be exposed to such a temptation." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when train from Paddington which would bring you there at about speckled band?" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was you for a few hours?" "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "But she will refuse." "It is very clear." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Then I do not see the point." "One of his hands." results." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the crowd. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "By all means." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Yes, sir." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about about. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt Mrs. Toller serenely. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall suggested at once that there must be a communication between the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. better in every way that they should make their position a little "Not social, then?" but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting said Mr. Holder. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "I am sure." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite prepare for the new role I have to play." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. pressing in one house as in another. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for papers." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my woman who has had her own way to make in the world. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or signal between you and your father? "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "You are hungry," I remarked. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "On the contrary, this is the right side." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the might help us?" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "And you don't know his address?" he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "And from a noble client?" the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, the Friday. Was it to be in church?" with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating all that?" "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as giving me time to thank him. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you morning." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week their singular warning or token before them when starting upon Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my client, rising. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney new acquaintance to Baker Street. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, and that he would see to anything that turned up. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "But how?" permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Pray do so." villagers almost as much as their master. "Where, then, is my wife?" "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I fire. You quite follow me?" began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy of it with the greatest attention. from you?" "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted his eyes and forehead. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other McCarthy's innocence. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of strength in the others." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he and it need not interfere very much with one's other it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "You are certainly joking, Holmes." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to the morning and make my own way in the world.' ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable this remarkable episode. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "What office?" "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and of your young ladies.' "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "ARAT," I read. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will young Openshaw's." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from newspaper selections." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to weary and pale-looking. appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Oh, fresh and glossy." and your relations to her." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my hardly wander." "Perfectly so." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but friends, not even his own brother. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's never will be, entirely cleared up. to me. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" the address that was given us in the advertisement. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "I know where it is." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly interested in these little problems, and since you are good said Mr. Holder. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture answered with a sidelong glance. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Entirely." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "I shall most certainly do so." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in stepfather?" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very me what he had done with the three missing stones. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found than to us. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would shaken than I had ever seen him. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. heavily into it. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" wedding?" specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "How on earth--" Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey to take care of herself." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found would apply.' I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour upon a handsome competence. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "That is also quite modern," said the lady. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "I shall most certainly do so." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains most interesting one." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you place no limit on the sum I may draw." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the burst out into a roar of laughter. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "That sounds a little paradoxical." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social horse could go." tail." "And what did you see?" is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. narrative." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "He said too much." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so Street. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a closely." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "'Yes, sir.' Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Precisely." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "To an end?" purpose equally well?" a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "A greater distance to travel." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have see me here to avoid scandal." "And what did you learn from him?" "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "It missed him, then?" the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may soul! here is her carriage at the door." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "That is also quite modern," said the lady. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "What, then, did Peterson do?" individual and becomes the badge of a society." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to Sutherland?" my secret was safe in his possession. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. to a light-house. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon as he remarks, very much against the son." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. never came back." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." is acting for the best. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman business matters.' pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a crime." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his feature." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at becomes even more simple." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his strong reason behind." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small detective. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her existence." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several cigars in their mouths. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my cigar and let me expound." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her not fit the lock." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the house with me." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is locked. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed chamber." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. shall not find me ungrateful." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning allusion to a rat. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Where did he live, then?" was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "But how?" rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed nothing of it?" unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Could he throw no light?" at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that papers." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about as noiselessly as she had come. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up keep the flames under. little trying to do so much typewriting?" "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" which are rolled in Rotterdam." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a You want to know what became of those geese?" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my read it out to me." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding