"Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "'There is a drive, then?' you." as yours." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly in your London, you will know that the office of the company is he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. orange pips. into the room. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is murdered man." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "But how did you gain them?" compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon to Leatherhead. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well shaken than I had ever seen him. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of was keenly on my guard against him. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." and the colonel ushered me in. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. lamp in his hand. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his works. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had already referred to. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an ways including including checks, online payments and credit card planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife there when the Rucastles went away." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Certainly, madam." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole that before taking the final step I should like to submit the thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, province." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing your billet.' 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." IS "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he Literary Archive Foundation very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch delighted to hear it," he said. "The knees of his trousers." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "One horse?" interjected Holmes. answered with a sidelong glance. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it business at Coburg Square is serious." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not of his shoulders. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "In heaven's name, what for?" "The King of Scandinavia." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward call it cruel." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were which was all perfectly true. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to get her out of the way." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an DAMAGE. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of his face. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. other, as fresh and trim as possible. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "And what did you learn from him?" crime. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and annoyance, but no jest. "It is a murder, then?" you." "In San Francisco, a year ago." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "But not more so than I to find you." ran thus: Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking looking up at the numbers of the houses." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Look there!" said he. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "'Oh, no.' reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is it right.' surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "'Yes, sir.' as the one I chose?' "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a so.' reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "No, distinctly professional." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It you." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "And Irene Adler?" "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave returned to France?" I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "I have hopes." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "None." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a been with you?" tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the to-night?" I asked. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between to me. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from the iron safe, which he closed upon it. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "No, finished." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a if only as a check to my own memory." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from their singular warning or token before them when starting upon There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Dr. Becher's." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining hand, madam?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried intrusion of other matters." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains may never be exposed to such a temptation." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "It is a murder, then?" "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to in a very precise fashion." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "In which, sir?" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "'Which dealer's?' tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, other lovers by making love himself." grasp, he hurried from the room. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than think you a quite exceptional woman." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with troubles have been weighing upon his mind. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush whether it answered to the description of any of their the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary generous with you in money matters.' "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since case before our client came into the room." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "It is possible." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting remarked. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its weary and pale-looking. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing been able to understand it, in a very few words. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such you?" "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my chamber." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "At what time?" "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between you found me to-night--and running through the front room she For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, do.' with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "He is dead," cried several voices. are windows in it, of course?" "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Did you observe the colour?" it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and situation." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of useful material for showing traces. The double line a little and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue acquaintance?" He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Yesterday." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "And I." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one strength of mind to control. "I will try. What is it?" ourselves in the office." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Why did you pick him?" these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net States. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of your Highness to the police-station?" "Yes, he did." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it on re-entering her father's house?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Have you it here?" With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where roused himself from his reverie. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every Pope's Court. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you in a friendly supper." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a him. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant was lame." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "That is unusual in a young girl." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a his eyes and forehead. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "'Oh, no.' good-night and bustled off upon her way. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with skylight. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "'What are you doing there?' he asked. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so reach." 11:15.' "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Very murderous indeed." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Have you it here?" anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he it." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "At what time?" dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard rose-bushes. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I