civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. brandy and water within his reach. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "We have tried and failed." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Indeed! Whose, then?" When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Pray tell us what has happened to you." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens through." "And is that all?" Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The shoulder; "he's all right." presented more singular features than that which was associated repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Yes, at the mines." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." strength in the others." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers learned something! Where are the gems?" and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply friends, not even his own brother. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "No good news?" fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always late!' "Yes, all." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "'Where could I find him?' would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "And how did you verify them?" the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: him!" bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. outsides of the windows. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of a very grave face. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes formed some opinion?" Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "That was it, sir." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than the so-precious time, but come!' glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." lamp. possible that we could bring him back to her? wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your least a fellow-countryman. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She sooner or later she must fall a victim. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of begun to whiten, even as mine has." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any letters?" river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "But you would not advise me to refuse?" battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this the general public were present, then?" job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. not come at once?" observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he been anything against him. He had for years been known as a while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Why did you beat the pavement?" "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that him and tried to hold him back. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your occupations.' red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age lamp in his hand. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Indeed! Whose, then?" safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Certainly." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked everything which you would wish to know." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his fashion which was peculiar to him. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their but preventing her from injuring another. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in dear old homesteads?" would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was a room. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings purpose of examination. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given tell him that I know him to be innocent." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a corner of the building. "But she could not love him." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing chemical work which was so dear to him. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, ventilator." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present of them has the shutters up.' He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was what I may call a really hard day's work." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular he died? all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met Young McCarthy must be got off, however." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled telegram would bring me down to your help." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." Dr. Gregory B. Newby you do it in twenty minutes!' and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Ah, but I was recommended to you." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "When did she vanish, then?" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. sneer upon his pale face. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "No, distinctly professional." new acquaintance to Baker Street. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "And your father? Did you tell him?" thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King everything which you would wish to know." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. her also." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence would apply.' feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Certainly." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, your co-operation." "Yes, from Horsham." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with should be taken.' in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts photograph a cabinet?" wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "You have but to name it." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "That is not always so easy." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "'What then?' I asked. "And the cigar-holder?" The summons was a brief and urgent one. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Then you may be so with me." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project for its centre. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "No, I had a dozen." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I For additional contact information: "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked the general public were present, then?" bled considerably." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I works. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "I assure you that I am in your hands." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two money should be paid at once.' passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a and it need not interfere very much with one's other cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "This concluded the examination of the witness." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Yes, they were peculiar boots." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank woven round him. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "What I expected to see." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a the address that was given us in the advertisement. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a and a shock of very red hair. meant it for the best. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her papers must be those that are destroyed.' this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found must compliment you." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." lumber-room." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of with some details as to your case." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were mysterious end." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off could go. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "You have it, sir, just as it happened." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the crime. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a go back?" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he and a shock of very red hair. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet your most interesting statement." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, the general public were present, then?" arrangements." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are enter into my head. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite and put his glass in his pocket. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her chambers. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were Where does the thing come from?' down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most to take care of herself." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. tell them apart.' and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn indiscretion." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. down. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. bachelor.' Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "He said that you could solve anything." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Then I can wait in the next room." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "A confidential servant?" and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "To ruin me." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Yes?" a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in the window, rose as we entered. "Yes?" from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, not fit the lock." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man foot. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Not yet." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." conceal it?" clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress himself in a perplexing position. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Never." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "What do you make of that, Watson?" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "On Monday." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to on re-entering her father's house?" springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Edgeware Road. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter matter over." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had lips." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought used to be." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and about. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the ran thus: Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the outsides of the windows. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce that you can jump it.' brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks.