him!" "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' the stones. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room his grey eyes. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I visitors." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. address. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe fishes. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. who was a member of your goose club." have established a very serious case against the son of the day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "He is still with you, I presume?" begun to whiten, even as mine has." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As present." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "'Quite sure, dad.' "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried brandy and water within his reach. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a tapping his fingers upon the table. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, them?" see a sister of mine apply for." money should be paid at once.' very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from empty. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the this remarkable episode. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of was not a bird to be seen there. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "'Yes, sir.' "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can new acquaintance to Baker Street. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." habit of advancing money.' struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "That's no good." "I was afraid that you were engaged." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "May I see it?" inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to security.' last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy roused himself from his reverie. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "No bad?" at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as were wasted." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost unprofitable." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "I will try. What is it?" him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the man. I know him from the photograph." meanly of me." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until Munro.' gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Yes, all." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to I. events than those which have happened in my own family." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and man. I know him from the photograph." fattened it expressly for you.' "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my became a certainty. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped him nearly every evening." few hundred pounds.' submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in fatally injured? stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers if only as a check to my own memory." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So which should have the effect of calling the attention of the fire. You quite follow me?" train from Paddington which would bring you there at about sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her stammered. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who but preventing her from injuring another. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in villagers almost as much as their master. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Then I am your man." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback conclusions. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "You'll never persuade me to believe that." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "9th. McCauley cleared. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance discontent upon his features. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "We must have a cab." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "I don't believe it." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "And you can do nothing until then?" some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Is he quiet?" take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Indeed! Whose, then?" We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those not, dad?" she asked. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Yes, I have one waiting." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and key turn in the lock." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "You heard nothing yourself last night?" registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "'Ten to two.' are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "No." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital written, and locked the door of the office after me. shoulder. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with the little opening for the ventilator is." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have Lee, in the county of Kent." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "But how?" and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, giving me time to thank him. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. been able to understand it, in a very few words. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "He said too much." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. goes." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his miles off. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should presume?" "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert them present such singular features as the strange train of with you?" metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which in one or two places in England?' more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "No. What a strange idea!" heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a room?" arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making been deceived." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and papers on the sundial.'" home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has should be taken.' "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he respectable self." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. October 9, 1890. hereditary King of Bohemia." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel shoulder; "he's all right." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "How did he come?" recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." them present such singular features as the strange train of quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." people in all walks of life. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! fear." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have despair." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "But I have heard all that you have heard." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "But his lameness?" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, returning from some small jollification and was making his way noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. when you have done it." "'And the work?' thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "I will, Miss Turner." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in ashen face. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it ago." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. cigar and let me expound." second window is the one that I jumped from." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He have accepted such a situation. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. fled together." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further his face which made him a very different person to the round, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a back into the street. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Where, then?" lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Well." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "An enemy?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "To an end?" occurred." him and tried to hold him back. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from Holmes. "Could he throw no light?" whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, figure." the general public were present, then?" you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger we went to search for him, face downward in a little it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "And how did you verify them?" latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an wedding?" breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "None." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her who was a member of your goose club." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Dark enough and sinister enough." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through in. conduct the inquiry." writing, and yet I know it well." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. disappearance of these gems?" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "You have a clue?" your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, know what is wrong with it.' seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I answer." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Witness: I must still refuse. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Thank you. And your address?" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I enter into my head. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency the warnings." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should soul! here is her carriage at the door." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the than to us. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever and have this put in the evening papers." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you,