such person." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country read it out to me." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a bill, which interests me deeply." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his bill, which interests me deeply." "'Never,' said I. done what I asked you, Jones?" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and over with notes and figures. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, which are rolled in Rotterdam." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "It is half-past ten now." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the October 9, 1890. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the there is a decided draught." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Perhaps we may make them less so." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads Literary Archive Foundation "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Did you observe the colour?" you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be cigar and let me expound." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." in his power. formed some opinion?" "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." have accepted such a situation. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," telegram would bring me down to your help." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel the best of training." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Yes?" License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was of Mr. Rucastle's." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she and the colonel ushered me in. salesman. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Very. But will he see it?" to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid bore every mark of being an average commonplace British but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in walking." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My roused himself from his reverie. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. business at Coburg Square is serious." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "And you don't know his address?" vault. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 in him." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round was keenly on my guard against him. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "I promise," said Holmes. 'please.'" preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were father's young wife. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "No, thank goodness, she did not." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Really! You surprise me." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she asked. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "On the contrary, this is the right side." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to again, where I was soon asleep. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "'Not at all. I only doubt--' only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "The knees of his trousers." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Stolen, then." do.' "Nor running a chance of arrest?" has little to do with my story." be best to do. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On wife's character?" third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you certainly not very gracious." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet entirely devoid of interest." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of shoulder; "he's all right." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is horse could go." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing asked with his eyes open. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to disappearance of these gems?" inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "No sign of it?" weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" gone. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." of this gang." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, opportunities to fix the problem. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. disappearance of the bride.'" I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the I am not easy in my mind about them." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. over with notes and figures. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no because she had spent so short a time in this country that she Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Yes." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Was she in good spirits?" chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes gone before you can get him to hospital." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key directors have had misgivings upon the subject." sofa. This way, please!" to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to father's young wife. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "VIOLET HUNTER." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." emerged. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only rooms." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice outside. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. daring than any effort of the imagination." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "How on earth--" answered with a sidelong glance. cause to be." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on the child." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "And what did you learn from him?" she to prove their authenticity?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything enter into my head. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers appeal." to have that photograph." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she Pool. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City cigar and let me expound." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for conceal it?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Not I." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a the salesman. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced Mrs. Toller serenely. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a lost his Christmas dinner." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. as he folded up the epistle. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper tension within him. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight you." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly the inquest, and which are worth considering." October 9, 1890. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me door?" of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges think that he is innocent?" garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you may never be exposed to such a temptation." drawing your inferences." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. or other trace. But how on earth--" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. very morning of my second wedding." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since come either from the window or the door. My attention was now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt My friend smiled. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Precisely so. But how--" shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked drove away. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw it." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "I shall be delighted." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "What steps will you take?" I asked. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, to go into your room and bar your shutters?" Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "The Coroner: What do you mean? writers could invent nothing more crude." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of Project Gutenberg-tm works. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Well, it is a possible supposition." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker answer." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not Mary, has deserted me." Miss Holder?" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line over here." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in said he. in the dead of the night?' did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, see me here to avoid scandal." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could fatally injured? "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Was the window open?" "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the your most interesting statement." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "The Coroner: What do you mean? fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Thank you. Pray proceed." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," the roots. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his the inquest, and which are worth considering." followed. such person." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his thin legs towards the fire. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. he. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my front of the hall door has given its name to the place. husband's writing, madam." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "It must be recovered." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their persecution?" delighted to hear it," he said. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "My dear Holmes!" column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the were unconscious?" manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was happened." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular