to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned opened the door, and slipped through. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "I saw her in conversation with her maid." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it silent! Oh, he will be silent!' parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Perhaps I have." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me reach." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered your only hope of safety." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "You know me, then?" was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "'Where to?' seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "You know me, then?" Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "We must have a cab." "Then he might have called to you?" at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently himself in a perplexing position. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Well." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my felt?" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." new duties?' then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "He is still with you, I presume?" hand, madam?" "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Yes, sir." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "He slept on the premises." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything individual and becomes the badge of a society." habit of advancing money.' upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes showing my impatience. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with country, and eventually married, without anyone having a deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases think that he is innocent?" the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite maid will bring up your coffee." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "But to whom?" counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." union?" head. So long, then!" "I answered that I had not. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of constraint." "It was an hour's good drive." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, weapon." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of wedding?" ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." with some details as to your case." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "No more words. Get out!" "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you and capable of preserving a secret.' my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: which it had come upon my father." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually the ceiling. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as The events in question occurred in the early days of my posted to-day." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Deserted you?" "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found one else, I think." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, it right.' and the colonel ushered me in. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring started for the Temple to see my husband. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem back to my heart. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." begun to whiten, even as mine has." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "From his hat?" suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his ill-usage at the hands of fortune. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "And did you observe any change in her then?" vanished into the darkness. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the the nursery. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. spare." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "I was mad--insane." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered said he. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "'Then let me do so?' people don't know." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend conversation I have gathered that they have been married about obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a approach us with offers to donate. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." everything which you would wish to know." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the hopeless attempt at recovering them." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible get her out of the way." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the charged with?" with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. acted in my house last night?" "And what then?" sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back best detective that ever lived. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. page at http://pglaf.org Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "At the wedding breakfast." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the since then to throw any light upon what became of him." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb did not hear it also.' papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Yes." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" at my own good fortune. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white had formerly been in part my own. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "At the wedding breakfast." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons wanted for ourselves." "There is the writing." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Well, but China?" "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. him. late!' Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As already been minutely examined." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a your Highness to the police-station?" reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "'Stolen!' he cried. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped memory. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat if only as a check to my own memory." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that would then never go into court at all." page at http://pglaf.org Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what ran thus: rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is problems help me to do so." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "And I." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. seen the man in the road." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror the south-west, I see." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered wife's character?" sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "It is half-past ten now." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at will not take me long to tell. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Why serious?" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that morning." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for coat-tails." "But I am all in the dark." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in For additional contact information: same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This overpowering excitement and concern. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Two days later this same performance was gone through under fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Whose house is it?" I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "No, I think that I'll take it." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." passage and a tap at the door. "Look there!" said he. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Precisely." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little soul! here is her carriage at the door." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but room?" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Yes, all." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom for and were ordered to this address. "Always." possible that we could bring him back to her? said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "It looks newer than the other things?" The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some and your relations to her." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the round with crates and massive boxes. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by Pope's Court. done what I asked you, Jones?" other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations husband's writing, madam." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Nothing?" puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we my friend's incisive reasoning. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "When did it break out?" strange features which were associated with the two crimes which the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage Sutherland?" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "How did he come?" you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Yes, from Horsham." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this front of the hall door has given its name to the place. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Where does the thing come from?' me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat again before evening." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive daring than any effort of the imagination." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "What will you say?" bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside what I may call a really hard day's work." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "'What then?' I asked. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "And the murderer?" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the his knees, staring into the fire. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my that you can jump it.' which we had just quitted. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." this man was intellectual?" his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call chance." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from stammered. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been in. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs