only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. tail." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "You will not go there first?" from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I way in." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in for the market.' business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this redistribution. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, even of instruction." such attractions and accomplishments?' up this clue while it is still hot." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew companion. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I I. "9th. McCauley cleared. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? I was concerned in it." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in to arrive at through this?" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "It is no ordinary one." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and woman." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "You are hungry," I remarked. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat villagers almost as much as their master. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the and laid it on the table. place no limit on the sum I may draw." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do an introduction to him?" reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, appeal." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer entirely devoid of interest." crime." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the Holmes rather sternly. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every noble correspondent could be. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' cause to be." recover the gem." http://gutenberg.net/license). "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the once more. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Then I shall certainly come." "None." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Now, then, what's the last entry?" very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But threw himself down with his face to the pillow. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban that metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then possible that we could bring him back to her? Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "I don't say that. Perhaps." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. in my life." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend most important business. It is probable that he will be away all the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "On the contrary, this is the right side." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, London for the present?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Were they all fastened this morning?" was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. voice, changing her seat as requested. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have attention." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, frequently gained my first real insight into the character of a good hundred miles off by now." "Thank you. Pray proceed." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are floor. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "I have seen the police." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through wife's character?" "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. Sholtos." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Of what?" of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "'Never,' said I. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which crime. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the http://www.gutenberg.net greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge compunction about shooting them down." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "And Miss Sutherland?" compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "It certainly sounds feasible." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought that you wished to speak to me?' heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "I assure you that I am in your hands." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof were new raised from a basin. whether it answered to the description of any of their known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that persecution?" "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "But how could you guess what the motive was?" there is a decided draught." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "I cannot tell." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have the iron safe, which he closed upon it. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "No." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently at my remark. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress memory. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "I came to find a friend." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you legal crime." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into my friend's incisive reasoning. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I which it had come upon my father." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same and glanced through. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "On the contrary, this is the right side." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. returned to France?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, me." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. your troubles." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I any." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Whose house is it?" whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp sofa. This way, please!" and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Oh, yes, easily." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "But what is it you wish?" is so. I know all about McCarthy." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said prison!" which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were them, and came down just as you departed. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six anything to do with the matter?" "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his gone. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Certainly." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is will not take me long to tell. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "An enemy?" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first because she had spent so short a time in this country that she nights." footfalls from the street. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to long narrative. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of round and wave him away like that.' ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the think you a quite exceptional woman." awkward doing business with an alias." your only hope of safety." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two better in every way that they should make their position a little would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a was a loud and authoritative tap. and no precautions can guard against." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay there." Mrs. Toller serenely. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Well, but China?" you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "It may not come to that," said Holmes. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "'Not at all. I only doubt--' only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you amused." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my a room. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Of what?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Then what has happened to him?" agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "But not more so than I to find you." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very the salesman. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my occupations.' note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a quickly through a disagreeable task. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Then how many are there?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "No. What a strange idea!" "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Why, it's a dummy," said he. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning I am not easy in my mind about them." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "And when will you call?" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" *** START: FULL LICENSE *** description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" tail." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "What then?" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and guilty parties." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It me have 200 pounds?' "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and manager. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your to-night." "Were they all fastened this morning?" questioning and rather startled gaze. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" colonel looking down at me. "But the mystery?" opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Eyford." "Entirely." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something awaited us upon the table. "Breckinridge is his name." "I do." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Then I am your man." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp DAMAGE. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. ago." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban forbidden door. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the