As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Nothing." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "No bad?" maid will bring up your coffee." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me call for it in person on Monday morning.' I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Eh? What was that?" prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Deserted you?" 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Precisely so. But how--" Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the where she found matters as described by the last witness. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was was it brought him the coronet? disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." been deceived." was a loud and authoritative tap. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they than was visible to me." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the taking in every detail of the apartment. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to Lestrade of Scotland Yard." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "I say it is." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "But how?" "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "You think that he is dead?" to Leatherhead. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Never." copied or distributed: going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something she used." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we to-night." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "I would pay ten." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "No?" drawing your inferences." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to the address that was given us in the advertisement. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "I guessed as much." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "You horrify me!" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without as yours." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and train from Paddington which would bring you there at about and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of experiences." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very one of the states of the Union." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so rooms." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Will you bet, then?" "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "'Yes, sir.' where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "He disappeared so suddenly." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, upon a handsome competence. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and night.' said he. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at down. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a correct than the official force." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." of your young ladies.' enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of was keenly on my guard against him. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "But he might be a bachelor." had picked up in the wood. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, desk. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "And I say east," said my patient. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a question. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come lumber-room." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to them, and came down just as you departed. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "But she will refuse." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a four million human beings all jostling each other within the "And you thought he was pulled back?" had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg the nursery. sooner or later she must fall a victim. "What can it mean?" I gasped. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Who was the criminal, then?" Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for thirty. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Pray continue your narrative." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their you?" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Whose house is it?" through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a call you and give you the chance." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing 'please.'" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has breakfast." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which shoulder; "he's all right." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would outbreak?" as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an main points of my analysis." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss good for you to do.' "You know me, then?" security.' bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was morning." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "At the wedding breakfast." "No, I had a dozen." careless servant girl?" more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close to me. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away married her." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you the iron safe, which he closed upon it. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot conclusions. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, she might be summoned. voice. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "And on what day did he meet his death?" appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Well, but China?" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Well, some hundreds of times." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be It was close upon four before the door opened, and a immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in crime. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking sake, don't!" departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to the best of training." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the Doctor, of the paper and the date." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. roused himself from his reverie. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so in one or two places in England?' once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project congratulate you again." ourselves in the office." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was you for a few hours?" central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little in his power. "What! You do not mean bodies?" down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in taking in every detail of the apartment. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this he died? him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations fire. You quite follow me?" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running is a common subject for conversation. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "You have a clue?" The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little was a loud and authoritative tap. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was your Highness to the police-station?" "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which was a lad." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "And the murderer?" "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite instituted." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the his cane at the bell-pull. towards the blaze. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He eat it." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might upon the shelf for the interim." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the stood on the top of it. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "None." "No. What a strange idea!" Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "'I have already given you my word.' and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Then what has happened to him?" photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce I shall continue with my miserable story. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By guilty parties." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and national property. I was determined that the law should have its behind me. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves his cane at the bell-pull. nonsense.' gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have started for the Temple to see my husband. Cross for the Continent." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been than was visible to me." salesman. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray the window, rose as we entered. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "What can it mean?" I gasped. "I will not look." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the http://gutenberg.net/license). to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Certainly." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner him. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "But she could not love him." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "I say that I have solved it." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' records." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of himself to hunt down. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I of campaign. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His the Red-headed League." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned signal between you and your father? this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed