prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we of Fenchurch Street." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away know that the truth is known." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Holmes' face clouded over. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. experiences." to affect your life." me. You must get home instantly and act." I think that I could be of assistance to you." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What him nearly every evening." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, his cane at the bell-pull. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "That is easily got." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem might help us?" Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." made his money." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to answer." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "But how did you gain them?" was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband But Holmes shook his head gravely. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance strode off upon his way. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Yes, from Horsham." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, directly by questioning you." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "The best possible." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the occupations.' "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "No, I think that I'll take it." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at skylight. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." said I. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "But how will you look?" was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in Gutenberg-tm License. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow Arthur Conan Doyle order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, Holmes' thin, eager face. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Yes." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our to affect your life." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save together. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "And that is--" "VIOLET HUNTER." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and of your young ladies.' half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so handed it to him. residence of the great financier. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Where did you address your letters, then?" civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. spark where all is dark to me." was a loud and authoritative tap. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, jewels which you have stolen?' far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" away to you." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who should be taken.' paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the through." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we success. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at matter over." overpowering excitement and concern. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last maid will bring up your coffee." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." grasp, he hurried from the room. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's in one or two places in England?' they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to within hail.' "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the held up the lantern and gazed about him. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "And how did you verify them?" back to my heart. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out retorted upon me, and I on you." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "And I to find an enemy." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your or other trace. But how on earth--" "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "The gentleman I describe." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds during the last few years, and there are many noble families to was used.' the very morning of the wedding." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Dark enough and sinister enough." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local fuss that is made over them." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend trifles." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic there was no need for father to know." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Come in!" said Holmes. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A envelope. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "On Monday." "Well, it is a possible supposition." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he be there in time for your coming." arrangements." "'Most admirably.' years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked Doctor, of the paper and the date." "So it appears." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in you give your casting vote to?" disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of drawing your inferences." of the vacancies.' believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Yes, from Horsham." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a see a sister of mine apply for." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to upon the white wrist. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Your sister is dead, then?" The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" shoulder; "he's all right." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is to-night." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed read it out to me." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "And you don't know his address?" caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "'Certainly,' I answered. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I him and tried to hold him back. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which fatally injured? on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the of them has the shutters up.' basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Not in the least." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he wife's character?" ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most mystery!" which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, I. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their you." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "He is still with you, I presume?" know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." that there was nothing in it, after all." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Then I do not see the point." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one coat-tails." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "I came to find a friend." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I his grey eyes. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "To ruin me." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, hard-headed British jury." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to my former friend and companion. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case words came to my lips. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We asked. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant ourselves in the office." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and quick march!" the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "You have a clue?" a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever the bottom.' appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "I assure you that I am in your hands." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Ample." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Whose house is it?" that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and II. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs him!" or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes several quiet little villages up there." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Yes." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was prove to be little relation between the different incidents of together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the that you saw all that I did." was keenly on my guard against him. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, bears upon the case?" "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of yet." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot any." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "And how did you find out?" between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Precisely so. But how--" morning." shaken than I had ever seen him. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "'No, I know no one in these parts.' slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my