arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal but preventing her from injuring another. Sutherland?" lamp. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing is a common subject for conversation. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "I would pay ten." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "She showed me, as I told you she would." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of cup of tea. "And how?" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial lost nothing by them." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "If I can be of use." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again not come at once?" an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you criminal. We have already had experience of such." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not I leave." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his rose-bushes. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. occupations.' and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the companion quietly. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to own family. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as digesting their breakfasts at home." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "It is half-past ten now." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "What then?" happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." lips." "To the police?" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it murdered man." that you can jump it.' without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough works. See paragraph 1.E below. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned light and attacked it." "When did it break out?" business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I who was a member of your goose club." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door upon the shelf for the interim." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Not in the least." It may be so in this case, also." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "I have come for advice." "Yes." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that for the market.' conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of matter over." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "I know where it is." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For woven round him. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of instincts rose up against that laugh. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with cost them two and thirty pounds." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. the coroner come to?" hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "You'll never persuade me to believe that." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Upon what point?" tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon own family. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a mysterious business." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it to-morrow." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. was a loud and authoritative tap. said Mr. Holder. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon himself to hunt down. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification again on its way. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by who was a member of your goose club." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which his wife has ceased to love him." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one against a man in the prime of life?" "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" 'I should be able to look after that for you.' fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which wall." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Holmes' face clouded over. more terrible than the truth. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been and put his glass in his pocket. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments together. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he deduce something from that?" opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing stood on the top of it. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." as he remarks, very much against the son." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached retorted upon me, and I on you." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause meant." future lives." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a upon the white wrist. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It which it had come upon my father." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural enough to aid us in our search." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Was she in good spirits?" opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's points to suicide?" It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting chemical work which was so dear to him. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some just called myself is not exactly my own." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I eavesdroppers?' disturbance in my wife." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the Pope's Court. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "What! Had he lost his wife?" "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Where did you address your letters, then?" painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has interested in these little problems, and since you are good "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of if I call to-morrow?" prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out have accepted such a situation. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "'Where could I find him?' consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls be. London for the present?" of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear congratulate you again." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the official police." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain know what is wrong with it.' the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life coat-tails." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." you give your casting vote to?" imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Will you bet, then?" suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until house for five minutes.' "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Stolen, then." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum bore every mark of being an average commonplace British Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are sufficient punishment." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "I cannot as yet see any connection." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his man. I know him from the photograph." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can whereabouts. discontent upon his features. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Countess of Morcar's?" a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided goes." "'Entirely.' distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "And from a noble client?" before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "In the cells." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant to go into your room and bar your shutters?" the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which been lifted and conveyed somewhere." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, there!' "Your presence might be invaluable." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with instituted." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or one else, I think." "Just look it up, then." lectures into a series of tales." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's mystery." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with them, and came down just as you departed. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the to talk it over. Street. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, door?" plantation.' eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features the coronet in his hand?" Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly and it need not interfere very much with one's other "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw