in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. cup of tea. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. License. You must require such a user to return or such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, notes," he said. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Imitated." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat wanted for ourselves." tapping his fingers upon the table. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some nothing with him." "'Yes, sir.' on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the detective. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in place, I think that there is good ground to think that the of the vacancies.' doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Entirely." "None." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with prisoner's face. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he cup of tea. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "Then the page we have seen--" The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "But what will you do?" In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never business came to an end." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Perhaps we may make them less so." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year dramatic, in fact." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the she has been waylaid. There has been no result." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly my secret was safe in his possession. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch strange features which were associated with the two crimes which reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was all-comprehensive glances. fear." "I cannot as yet see any connection." when your master had gone out." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" daring than any effort of the imagination." laugh and put his lips to my ear. "And it is--" woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" definite end. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his it with his own hands." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered entirely lost his self-respect." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my thirty. I am not easy in my mind about them." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Very. But will he see it?" before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Then how many are there?" am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I not as remarkable as your advertisement." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "And why?" Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "You have compromised yourself seriously." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "No, I think that I'll take it." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in upon the sideboard." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Who was the criminal, then?" had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. for its centre. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its crime." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' room had already been engaged for us. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "What can it mean?" I gasped. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Ample." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through as noiselessly as she had come. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some Foundation call for it in person on Monday morning.' for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets situation." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that when your master had gone out." to Leatherhead. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "I have solved it." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into emerged. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "'No, I know no one in these parts.' in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. you." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' hurried by. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "He said that you could solve anything." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the detective. copied or distributed: horse could go." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Really! You surprise me." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could you." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she status with the IRS. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "You have a clue?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, that I may have something better before very many minutes are it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to advice." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." seen the man in the road." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their in. spark where all is dark to me." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which breakfast." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. him. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper closely." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the said he at last. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend stepfather?" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed in a friendly supper." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what brandy and water within his reach. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by in the hope of finding them." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "But you were on a friendly footing?" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting wedding?" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. appointment with me for six o'clock?" suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter been shamefully used." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Because he was handy and would come cheap." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Her father is very rich?" "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent certainly do as you advise." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources empty. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "My last client of the sort was a king." "There are none." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the http://gutenberg.net/license). of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to article?" the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid to that open window." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." presume?" may never be exposed to such a temptation." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "In heaven's name, what for?" well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as indiscretion." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" client, rising. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't his face which made him a very different person to the round, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus asked. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect London for the present?" an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "And that is--" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb see a sister of mine apply for." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He Leave Paddington by the 11:15." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I spark where all is dark to me." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "'Yes, sir.' the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less system of imprisonment?" to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found fishes. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the himself. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "'I shall certainly be there.' examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is about here speaks of his kindness to him." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to case-book, which he consulted. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of my special province." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close up this clue while it is still hot." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "'Ample.' wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Nothing?" St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that weigh very heavily upon my conscience." enough to aid us in our search." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "I have my revolver," said I. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "I cannot imagine." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the in the port of London." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of your only hope of safety." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "He slept on the premises." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. chemical work which was so dear to him. "'As governess?' there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he frequently gained my first real insight into the character of interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "I came to find a friend." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." chemical work which was so dear to him. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little man. little trying to do so much typewriting?" 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the matter over." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a could gather together that I was able to avert another public "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "That also I could fathom." For additional contact information: "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, stammered. enter into my head. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted chance at all." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE Countess of Morcar's?" for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as four million human beings all jostling each other within the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly case before our client came into the room." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to next day. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "How are you getting on?" "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, who was a member of your goose club." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which to where he stood hid behind the curtain. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "None." have been better. It is all right." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his went to the Alpha were town bred." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and this truth that in these little records of our cases which you into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. Arthur Conan Doyle rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax