"Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the more terrible than the truth. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." indiscretion." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Oh, fresh and glossy." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for DAMAGE. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "There are none." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "'Yes, it was gone.' "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry again, where I was soon asleep. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "He might." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." some water from a caraffe. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Then the page we have seen--" preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. one of them." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of helping a boy to put up the shutters. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would back to my heart. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. bachelor.' o'clock is it?" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday you." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Thank you. Pray proceed." his grey eyes. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize from the brougham. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Entirely." me have 200 pounds?' impression behind it as though a window had gently closed arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel fuss that is made over them." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be empty. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Where, indeed?" Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small enough to aid us in our search." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return of receipt of the work. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "But his left-handedness." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to other means.' When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable do.' scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am to you." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage to tackle the facts." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not Gutenberg-tm License. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "A client, then?" will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. suspect him." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat and it need not interfere very much with one's other I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for what do you think they found in the pockets?" desk. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "But how?" home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Lee, in the county of Kent." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them humiliation." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "You have but to name it." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken tail." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is Surrey." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock floor. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband breakfast and whispered something to her husband. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "'Most admirably.' suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from conceal it?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own would apply.' brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the roused himself from his reverie. think that he is innocent?" "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. have one." what is your own theory as to what took place?" room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of waste of energy." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll returned to France?" goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "It certainly sounds feasible." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste forehead. "Then, how do you know?" do." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Not social, then?" possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. waste of energy." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and tail." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and you." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. province." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "What steps will you take?" I asked. writing, and yet I know it well." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at memory. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of fluttered off among the others. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "I beg pardon." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely mysterious business." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord Literary Archive Foundation Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Which surely he restored to their owner?" Sutherland. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Your presence might be invaluable." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said garden below. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. room?" stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "No, I think that I'll take it." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered the very morning of the wedding." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! his eyes and forehead. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite lumber-room." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss yourselves in at night?" very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll vault. "In which, sir?" You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes is," said he presently: yards of it?' process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "What do you make of that, Watson?" It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Precisely so. But how--" locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." think you a quite exceptional woman." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a skylight. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime Leave Paddington by the 11:15." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "It is no ordinary one." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying gone. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace results." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock daring than any effort of the imagination." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots sound at heart." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to breakfast." "But you have hopes?" not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your face and glided from the room. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some voice. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Nothing." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend disappearance of the bride.'" Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without pound a week." orange pips. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their lectures into a series of tales." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in relation between them, and what the object of his repeated him nearly every evening." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten think you a quite exceptional woman." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "9th. McCauley cleared. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "The doctor?" may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. nonsense.' Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at know all about it," he snarled. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend do you make of it all?" you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment digesting their breakfasts at home." answer." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said that he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "By no means." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely lumber-room." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "His face fell immediately. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, of campaign. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "I am armed." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the way: affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "I should wish to." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of the stones. of this gang." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My in the port of London." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a tear off another piece?' the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed tell me that you intended to go into harness." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if been." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your Clair, of Lee." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "And you thought he was pulled back?" you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be light and attacked it." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' official police." bonnet, and went out." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Certainly." "How did he come?" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your in the hope of finding them." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "I should like to see him very much." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" as noiselessly as she had come. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Look there!" said he. "This concluded the examination of the witness." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "One?" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" of the vacancies.' begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg