including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads think, you have already met." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The papers diligently of late, have you not?" ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed telegram would bring me down to your help." in him." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "You were travelling in the States?" order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were carpenter." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' What do you deduce from it?" interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Here?" fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." of the one which your family is now devouring." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Not social, then?" I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock we went to search for him, face downward in a little question," said Holmes, smiling. "I never have." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from your own bird, so if you wish--" his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, have established a very serious case against the son of the from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me the side-table." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "I see no marks." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after at my own good fortune. it were putty." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are the little opening for the ventilator is." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Yes." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. just called myself is not exactly my own." "'I have already given you my word.' in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed face and glided from the room. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through and the colonel ushered me in. "I was afraid that you were engaged." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, success. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never way in." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual train from Paddington which would bring you there at about that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were breakfast?" age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a showing my impatience. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "Where is it, then?" the running down." had died away into the silence from which it rose. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each him nearly every evening." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "'Very good.' "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "How did you deduce the select?" "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a help us in this matter." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. o'clock is it?" they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "BALLARAT." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of lips." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "But what harm can there be in that?" between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was introspective fashion. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left little trying to do so much typewriting?" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an humiliation." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in used to be." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he call you and give you the chance." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded details." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle were new raised from a basin. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "'Stolen!' he cried. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Then he might have called to you?" matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Quite so." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with the house with me." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these evidence," I remarked. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "What have you done?" asked Holmes. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "We must have a cab." before the coroner and the police-court." "I cannot as yet see any connection." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "It is very clear." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. said Mr. Holder. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Have you it here?" down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that such person." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Come in!" said Holmes. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first been with you?" downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be pound a week." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Yes." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a an introduction to him?" "It is his hat." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "And why in hopes?" another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Ten will be early enough." province." chance." "'Ten to two.' poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. a good hundred miles off by now." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." I shall communicate with you." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "It is his hat." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "'I am sure that I do not know.' "'Which dealer's?' and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note lectures into a series of tales." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "The murder was done with it." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's writers could invent nothing more crude." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its crackling voice. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' his face. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "Your French gold?" with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary felt the room to be a little close.' "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Yes, it would be as well." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. anything to do with the matter?" dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending following enigmatical notices: developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief system of imprisonment?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who for its centre. "What is it, then--a fire?" "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "I should wish to." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some my room." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a several quiet little villages up there." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' bird I ate is country bred." electronic works way in everything. nothing of it?" I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing shoulder. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing in one or two places in England?' joking. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "I have my revolver," said I. lamp. enough to aid us in our search." tell them apart.' his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William all that?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. cigars in their mouths. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But views." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my was already answered. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such awkward doing business with an alias." "Witness: Nothing definite. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined some city in a dream. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty hands. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not back to my heart. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as congenial hunt. disappearance of the bride.'" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "How do you know, then?" what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and my little problems." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "I cannot tell." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from it." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would was a loud and authoritative tap. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" maid will bring up your coffee." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "So I heard. You have him here?" "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement be there in time for your coming." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family used to be." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found him nearly every evening." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Witness: I must still refuse. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry that you saw all that I did." my secret was safe in his possession. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' own family. amused." papers." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. have not had my rubber." past. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Yes." them?" good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place some water from a caraffe. correct than the official force." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent relief. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from laugh and put his lips to my ear. girl said." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room breakfast and whispered something to her husband. your equipment. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "To the police?" Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "So it appears." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To always that they were such commands as a lady might with McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "He disappeared so suddenly." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "I should like to see him very much." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "But you were on a friendly footing?" while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Henry Baker is a member." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Yes, that is the Crown." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "We must have a cab." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here him." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "When did she vanish, then?" to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. happened." felt?" hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Absolutely none." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you."