time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as closing the door. "At half-wages, in fact." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches point in the dark hollow of his hand. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the since then to throw any light upon what became of him." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "ARAT," I read. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Ha! you find it so?" "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very question. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that that you can jump it.' disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you said I. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" results." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "I cannot imagine." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime bears upon the case?" chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not annoyance, but no jest. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual within hail.' his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "By all means." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes reach." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he made his money." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until suspect him." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain skylight. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg hurried away. retorted upon me, and I on you." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." relief. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the mysterious end." really the only notable feature about the thing." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which a room. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Who was the criminal, then?" glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was existence." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "None. Neville wrote those words." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled the house with me." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party yet." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire placed his cuttings. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't detective. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently Lestrade of Scotland Yard." she might be summoned. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "But his lameness?" said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest down from London to inquire more deeply into it." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "And how?" "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" which are rolled in Rotterdam." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Well, it is a possible supposition." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Yes." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "May I see it?" Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "I am armed." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll presented which may be striking and bizarre without being wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small nothing with him." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. Mrs. Toller serenely. "And who is her maid?" and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "What, then, did Peterson do?" more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the held up the lantern and gazed about him. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "No legal papers or certificates?" of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my village inn over there?" "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Was the window open?" gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in outside. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my The telegram which we eventually received came late one night persecution?" "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double know that the truth is known." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the now. It seems that there had been some informality about their husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "'A dozen yards or so.' sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by brain must have something in it." "What, then?" Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her with you alone." made his money." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the more solid." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one I shall continue with my miserable story. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, my former friend and companion. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of very morning of my second wedding." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he their singular warning or token before them when starting upon adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a vague figure huddled up in the darkness. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the skylight. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing the stable lane now." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be comes from the middle window." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, to-night?' docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it relation between them, and what the object of his repeated is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She know what is wrong with it.' all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole be. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault a monotonous occupation." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "I would pay ten." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do note?" murdered man." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "'Ample.' quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the is entirely a question of barometric pressure." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned telegram would bring me down to your help." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, over with notes and figures. just called myself is not exactly my own." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "It is possible." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, http://www.gutenberg.net 'I should be able to look after that for you.' another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your that?' have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever breakfast." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "But you would not advise me to refuse?" Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed been with you?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I the stable lane now." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the kindly on the shoulder. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he his face. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "You forget that I know nothing about it." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his absorbing." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "No, finished." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "You saw the ventilator, too?" deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from where Mr. Fordham shows you.' events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "The rest you will leave in our hands." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need the address that was given us in the advertisement. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though least a fellow-countryman. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Witness: It was. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous colonel looking down at me. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney Street. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Not social, then?" to take care of herself." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the chemical work which was so dear to him. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can During two years I have had three consultations and one small partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion at my own good fortune. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Entirely." to talk it over. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Well, some hundreds of times." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "He slept on the premises." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you the matter?" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" the general public were present, then?" Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be Heh?' Farm upon the left." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with your most interesting statement." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his bird I ate is country bred." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "But what will you do?" the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Ah, but I was recommended to you." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Never to return." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "And from a noble client?" "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for read it out to me." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "I will try. What is it?" "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so less than 26s. 4d. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "'A dozen yards or so.' think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "You will not go there first?" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise The events in question occurred in the early days of my "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open