straightened it out again. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away really the only notable feature about the thing." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the fact, we may call it conclusive." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "'I shall certainly be there.' insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "What have you done?" asked Holmes. the matter?" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Game for a morning drive?" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events outsides of the windows. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, closely." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "And how in the world did you find them?" and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate discontent upon his features. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as your room." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and beyond words. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "You are certainly joking, Holmes." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors once more to my work. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "You know me, then?" "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "You have a clue?" the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another humiliation." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled strode off upon his way. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most did not hear it also.' over here." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. were wasted." Watson," he said cordially. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, with you?" congenial hunt. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small confronted him. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the IS your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used too. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this noting anything else of interest. Arthur Conan Doyle "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her to affect your life." "I am in hopes that she does." "Get out!" said he. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had you came in." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at see me here to avoid scandal." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. my special province." "'I have heard so.' "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "'And the work?' my little problems." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the British peeress.'" "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose silent! Oh, he will be silent!' am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "But we can't all be." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently stalked out of the room. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "'As governess?' only touch the interest." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off burst out into a roar of laughter. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "One of his hands." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Absolutely none." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off which it had come upon my father." better grown goose." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. derbies." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "So it appears." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES acquaintance?" gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted the coroner come to?" "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "'A dozen yards or so.' had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, light and attacked it." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "'Which dealer's?' was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Get out!" said he. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for as yours." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, Sutherland?" receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those been." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless his eyes and forehead. and put his glass in his pocket. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "I am sure." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door have accepted such a situation. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both gigantic client. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "In heaven's name, what for?" noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I my secret was safe in his possession. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall silent! Oh, he will be silent!' 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "But who is he?" presume?" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "And I to find an enemy." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. newspaper selections." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "And you don't know his address?" he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! Watson," he said cordially. tied." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had call the police, let the police find what they can.' those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own never to learn it at all." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Yes?" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg of the way of danger. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could awkward doing business with an alias." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke in a very precise fashion." and put his glass in his pocket. "Then I do not see the point." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "The best possible." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "'What do you call purely nominal?' make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the Holmes' face clouded over. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His it right.' Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my away into the river." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "That is also quite modern," said the lady. on in his house." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his girl said." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "I don't believe it." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." roused himself from his reverie. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue interested in these little problems, and since you are good married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "How often?" country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "By no means." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror done what I asked you, Jones?" profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been chambers. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite she to prove their authenticity?" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a little adventures." and it need not interfere very much with one's other repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated at my remark. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "'What then?' I asked. "Precisely so. But how--" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband case-book, which he consulted. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety conduct the inquiry." for securing the situation." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "You know me, then?" IS wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such http://gutenberg.net/license). "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her head. So long, then!" Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down anything to do with the matter?" follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned nonsense.' pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their question. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Certainly." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper brain must have something in it." "My dear Holmes!" "Then I do not see the point." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns secret." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his felt the room to be a little close.' two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in question. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the suggested at once that there must be a communication between the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. Eyford." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Never." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming chance." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition invisible to me," I remarked. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Nothing?" I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall