"What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their lectures into a series of tales." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled during the last few years, and there are many noble families to he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate and capable of preserving a secret.' "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas disappearance of the bride.'" I have it here in my museum." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Stolen." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have letters?" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and yourselves in at night?" most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your the matter." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Was your sister dressed?" before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and the ceiling. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "'There is a drive, then?' wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be his forehead." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of any little problem which you may submit to me." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Nothing." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "And it is--" the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "About a month then." way in everything. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" over with notes and figures. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would standing smiling on the door-step. gigantic client. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "What is it, then--a fire?" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle of the vacancies.' of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at cause to be." I leave." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Pray do so." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary some water from a caraffe. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily as yours." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "That is possible." infinite languor in his face. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "A greater distance to travel." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I the stable lane now." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out of the one which your family is now devouring." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "No. What a strange idea!" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Then, as to money?" "Was there a secret marriage?" he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Get out!" said he. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall to arrive at through this?" two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "And how did you find out?" "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Oh, the cause is excellent!" 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This absorbing." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE thought that she would have been so carried away." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand views." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it than to us. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." three fields round his house, and there he would take his too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Will you go?" gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Dr. Becher's." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a pressing in one house as in another. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save *** START: FULL LICENSE *** analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of the coronet in his hand?" possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "What office?" me have 200 pounds?' and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. arrangements." "'What then?' I asked. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "This photograph!" away into the river." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for Heh?' to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." during which he might have communicated with his friend the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a used to be." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow geese which you supplied to the Alpha." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off out of this horrible affair." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set of the efforts of the United States government and of the better There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones are windows in it, of course?" "Thank you. Pray proceed." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "The rest you will leave in our hands." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, conclusions. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite weigh very heavily upon my conscience." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias call you and give you the chance." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "What can it mean?" I gasped. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Really! You surprise me." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That unprofitable." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I someone who had been in Australia." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich in a very precise fashion." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite works. existence." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Well?" expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" the very letters. But what is this written above them?' remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you read it out to me." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose individual and becomes the badge of a society." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of Street. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "It is half-past ten now." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "'What then?' I asked. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. indeed happy." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. Dr. Gregory B. Newby before the coroner and the police-court." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "None." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a had a long day." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to at my remark. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "'You cannot say what it was?' have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "And what did you see?" laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "I will not look." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly dear old homesteads?" reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little opportunities to fix the problem. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. the bottom.' naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The the running down." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "One?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, waste of energy." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he I think that I could be of assistance to you." the inner apartment." man. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation pound a week." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw down in his armchair and closing his eyes. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from with frightened eyes at his accuser. quite distinctive." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "It was." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "And who is her maid?" A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made burst out into a roar of laughter. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing may have an influence upon European history." "Ah!" "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too of." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." here." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were his forehead." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Precisely." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round a few minutes he said that it would be all right. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the some terrible trap for her." character. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to you." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "I will do it." to tackle the facts." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "I am following you closely," I answered. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you forehead. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is to have been novel and of interest." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Nothing." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Thank you. And your address?" but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project train from Paddington which would bring you there at about and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' you?" trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this now. It seems that there had been some informality about their sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was Holmes. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there his wife has ceased to love him." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense most interesting one." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly fishes. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "We have tried and failed." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is confronted him. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Perhaps I have." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this detective. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "And help." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn back alive. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the the running down." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at read over the extraordinary announcement. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "This concluded the examination of the witness." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily child?' This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and