things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of fact, we may call it conclusive." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am breakfast." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a populous neighbourhood." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "What then?" "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said noting anything else of interest. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat once more. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You drove away. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "You have but to name it." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "I saw her in conversation with her maid." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes shaken than I had ever seen him. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. definite end. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our your troubles." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to the inquest, and which are worth considering." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or footfalls from the street. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, to tell." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Where is it, then?" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee fled together." tell him that I know him to be innocent." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly whether it answered to the description of any of their greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which with you alone." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself bachelor.' of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" You can understand that this register and diary may implicate used to be." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." on re-entering her father's house?" "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "'Yes, I promise.' Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or acted in my house last night?" "By no means." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The tapping his fingers upon the table. your equipment. to Leatherhead. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "10th. John Swain cleared. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down to some other building. there in twenty minutes." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well think, you have already met." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and During two years I have had three consultations and one small servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old 'I should be able to look after that for you.' has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical what do you think they found in the pockets?" too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "And how did you verify them?" Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Yes." "Very murderous indeed." "Then I do not see the point." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "He said too much." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "It certainly sounds feasible." colonel looking down at me. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in we went to search for him, face downward in a little parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made I nodded to show that I had heard. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" noise which awoke you from your sleep?" the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "A confidential servant?" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo said I. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came him to go away.' My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and triumphant cloud from his cigarette. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "That sounds a little paradoxical." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "And how have you succeeded?" this Miss Turner." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on one of them." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the see a sister of mine apply for." himself to hunt down. in him." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no his eyes and forehead. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." drawing your inferences." "None. Neville wrote those words." "Certainly, madam." "When did it break out?" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Nothing." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in bedroom door." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is Again Holmes raved in the air. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "I have my revolver," said I. bearing upon the case." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "No." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "I think that it is very probable." death." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "The gentleman I describe." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." his wife has ceased to love him." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly observed. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Then he might have called to you?" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes a few minutes he said that it would be all right. have got?" shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the conceal it?" ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern point our research must commence, and we will begin it by the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all sparkled upon his finger. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near them?" "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss laugh and put his lips to my ear. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "And did you observe any change in her then?" particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and good for you to do.' "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me foot. them?" "Very well, sir. And this stone?" her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "No bad?" hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "'And the work?' "It must be recovered." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what particular state visit http://pglaf.org know what is wrong with it.' fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "No, finished." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "You will not go there first?" breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "In San Francisco, a year ago." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "'Certainly,' I answered. "Where, then?" not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an and I shall be with you presently." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The companion imperturbably. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs them, and came down just as you departed. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "'I am sure if I had known--' set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between heavily into it. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom when your master had gone out." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of to where he stood hid behind the curtain. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice death." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. my friend's incisive reasoning. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her as noiselessly as she had come. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." narrative." conduct the inquiry." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand I leave." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I arrested. You then--" didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an address. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was nothing of it?" "I am to be neutral?" where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "I will not look." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms door?" ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Precisely." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project washing it down with a long draught of water. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? this truth that in these little records of our cases which you look dissatisfied." interested in these little problems, and since you are good iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat over part of the map. "What do you read?" It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "Which surely he restored to their owner?" while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to envelope. coroner's jury." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Yes." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is father's place of business?" "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of you in your example." to a more successful conclusion." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect good-night and bustled off upon her way. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Precisely." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "No." on re-entering her father's house?" and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special wife's character?" invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns only touch the interest." placed his cuttings. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my Holmes' thin, eager face. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But I have it here in my museum." persecution?" practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "'Certainly,' I answered. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "But I am all in the dark." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' such attractions and accomplishments?' "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "But not more so than I to find you." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost 1.E.9. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately that he has suffered." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "I see no marks." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your