"Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem situation." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous go--none." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "No sign of it?" "I assure you that I am in your hands." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Never." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "And why?" When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm that threaten you." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, business in the City. She little knew what. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," astonishment. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." directors, with the result that you have seen." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of little trying to do so much typewriting?" wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this this man was intellectual?" Farm upon the left." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and the matter." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and infinite languor in his face. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his Stoke Moran." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the a suggestive one." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two unclasping of his long thin hands. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. within hail.' "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her observed. the coronet in his hands?" "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet washing it down with a long draught of water. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a goes." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty and I shall be with you presently." have got?" astonishment. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would case-book, which he consulted. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "We have tried and failed." imbecility!" he cried. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to soul! here is her carriage at the door." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "No legal papers or certificates?" constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and were new raised from a basin. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in where she found matters as described by the last witness. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "I never have." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "'No, I know no one in these parts.' a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one you." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." more solid." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time business." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "I have a cab outside." "Then, as to money?" though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there but preventing her from injuring another. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "To an English lawyer named Norton." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? that particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a his fortune, and I went back to pa. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over man. with frightened eyes at his accuser. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he that I am arrested." business at Coburg Square is serious." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then populous neighbourhood." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had three fields round his house, and there he would take his "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "He might." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. photograph?" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Then I am your man." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle quick march!" outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must one of the states of the Union." "Have you it here?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let forebodings. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "A confidential servant?" "Precisely." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and written. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my triumphant cloud from his cigarette. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "It's nothing of the kind." "'How far from the body?' arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the the matter?" to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and orange pips. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Then I can wait in the next room." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he relief. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat better in every way that they should make their position a little "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very emerged. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past leave you to your papers for a little." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, grasp, he hurried from the room. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but God! What an exposure! What can I do?" reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in present." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending unprofitable." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "And how?" matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "'It is locked up,' I answered. acted in my house last night?" suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending that before taking the final step I should like to submit the yourselves in at night?" have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. once more. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, sparkled upon his finger. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He made him keep the appointment." to his chemical studies. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "And your mother is alive?" "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held with some details as to your case." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." experiences." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' gone. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his bird I ate is country bred." "How about poison?" you." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the a good hundred miles off by now." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes vault. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Then what has happened to him?" a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded you give your casting vote to?" It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Thank you. And your address?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she enter Dr. Roylott's room." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "I was afraid that you were engaged." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be the Friday. Was it to be in church?" see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is frequently gained my first real insight into the character of allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and attention." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other would apply.' you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "You have compromised yourself seriously." question," said Holmes, smiling. "What!" he roared. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able paper in the air. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came off." "From his hat?" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, that you saw all that I did." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and American. Then who could this American be, and why should he On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I himself in a perplexing position. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has think, you have already met." call you and give you the chance." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses married her." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The Lestrade of Scotland Yard." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but