paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple purpose of examination. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. Doctor, of the paper and the date." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." locked." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided away into the river." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and all that?" you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo place, I think that there is good ground to think that the dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of prove to be little relation between the different incidents of offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have 'I should be able to look after that for you.' which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than will find little credit to be gained out of this case." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "He said that you could solve anything." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. reach." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with father's young wife. "It surprised me." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "What will you say?" back into the street. important." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "My dear Holmes!" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and to change my dress. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had other lovers by making love himself." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to McCarthy's innocence. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a his face. peculiar to him. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "That sounds a little paradoxical." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Dark enough and sinister enough." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake enter Dr. Roylott's room." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and will find little credit to be gained out of this case." but preventing her from injuring another. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "What! You do not mean bodies?" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't key turn in the lock." must compliment you." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Well?" to you." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I desk. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Proceed, then." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of derbies." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "What then?" him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall at my remark. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not night.' said he. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to For additional contact information: tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Where to?" I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of posted to-day." "I answered that I had not. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both was a lad." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to take the flies, but not before." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Was the window open?" "Yes, it would be as well." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Here?" "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "That sounds a little paradoxical." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished conceal it?" "I am sure." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither bird of prey. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." open." companion imperturbably. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, tail." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by arrangements." "Yes, he did." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it delighted to hear it," he said. "Yes, but only for you and me." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea papers." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely you." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "They are typewritten," I remarked. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "He is dead," cried several voices. stalked out of the room. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our morning." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the questionable one." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she spare." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no the morning and make my own way in the world.' them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "Certainly." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "And I to find an enemy." forebodings. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "'Where could I find him?' present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' investigation." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open do." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "One of the highest in England." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" to-night's adventure." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. girl said." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Could he throw no light?" "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Eyford." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin strength." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "In which, sir?" to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "'No, I know no one in these parts.' humiliation." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "'I have heard so.' when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. any." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "The doctor?" read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days in one or two places in England?' severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life the matter." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the was used.' "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his lamp. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the newspaper selections." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." from the brougham. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line her also." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the had a long day." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "One of the highest in England." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Just look it up, then." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "You are certainly joking, Holmes." weary and pale-looking. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional with the outside air!" minor matters until to-morrow." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a God! What an exposure! What can I do?" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" brought there to personate someone, and the real person is disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "That is possible." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black locked." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." seen the man in the road." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been putting in the horse. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Come in!" said Holmes. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on of fine shops and stately business premises that they really the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand annoyance, but no jest. "Quite so. She has her freedom." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would everything which you would wish to know." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "'Very good.' the coronet in his hands?" idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass emerged. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught behind me. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Will you bet, then?" When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with me." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. not come at once?" suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "I am following you closely," I answered. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "He might." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Nor running a chance of arrest?" utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it just ask you whether you had heard it.' you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Witness: It was. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and Holmes' room. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there miles off. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a vanished into the darkness. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted it means?" freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "You are all wrong." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the vault. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim.