Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely read over the extraordinary announcement. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a directors, with the result that you have seen." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building him. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, in a friendly supper." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' late." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money could gather together that I was able to avert another public slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "I know where it is." in his power. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Stoke Moran?" said he. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. Arthur Conan Doyle refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "That is also quite modern," said the lady. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and disappearance of these gems?" Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "It is possible." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. ago." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His approach us with offers to donate. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "And now?" I asked. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to to arrive at through this?" younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine it with his own hands." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. place of silver." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I just ask you whether you had heard it.' which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no I was concerned in it." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this nonsense.' Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Then I am your man." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I astonishment. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "I cannot think." to a more successful conclusion." "But you have hopes?" "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and bachelor.' complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." Serpentine Avenue. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business of the efforts of the United States government and of the better little adventures." copied or distributed: and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "'Why that?' I asks. you understand?" appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a public press." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "'Oh, no.' make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until shag which I had seen upon the previous night. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Oh, fresh and glossy." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "What is it, then--a fire?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the your Highness to the police-station?" morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "'And the work?' "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his bearing upon the case." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found him!" stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Nearly eleven." said I. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Nothing?" weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I writing, and yet I know it well." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord highroad, where all traces were lost. "'Why that?' I asks. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square McCarthy." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could where Mr. Fordham shows you.' this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. his grey eyes. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "The Coroner: What do you mean? "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was my secret was safe in his possession. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into good-night and bustled off upon her way. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "On the contrary, this is the right side." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "So it appears." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "And is that all?" gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as him to go away.' with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project any more." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, foot. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a figure." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Tired-looking or fresh?" looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the orange pips. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "The knees of his trousers." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "I have a cab outside." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace their singular warning or token before them when starting upon wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some business?" where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To became a certainty. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an asked. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "I will do it." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. with you?" in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Do you know him?" them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced was once confined in the cab my mission was practically glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. the coroner come to?" man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "I was afraid that you were engaged." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had persecution?" the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need Mary, has deserted me." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." congratulate you again." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers strange features which were associated with the two crimes which without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "So I heard. You have him here?" "Never." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one becomes even more simple." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "And how in the world did you find them?" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "It came here." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid conduct the inquiry." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My burst out into a roar of laughter. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition learned something! Where are the gems?" constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "What then?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "'How far from the body?' "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "And when will you call?" sooner or later she must fall a victim. telegram would bring me down to your help." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging call the police, let the police find what they can.' lips." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs looking up at the numbers of the houses." window when the police appeared." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from the matter." "The vanishing of the lady." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one leave you to your papers for a little." have one." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "You don't mind breaking the law?" both be extremely obliged.' himself to hunt down. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were sooner or later she must fall a victim. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Yes, sir." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "'Certainly not.' "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, it right.' you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, the roots. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and shaken than I had ever seen him. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of cost them two and thirty pounds." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of shadow pass over his face as I spoke. important." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think indiscretion." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a get her out of the way." "Holmes, the busybody!" ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Will you bet, then?" fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of desk. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, indeed happy." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "How are you getting on?" had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. charged with?" "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout see me here to avoid scandal." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow woven round him. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return what do you think they found in the pockets?" clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without murdered man." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence ways of our fellow-men." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and For additional contact information: chance." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in said he. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Always." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Precisely." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Not I." again." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My of Fenchurch Street." disappearance of the bride.'" Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and deduce something from that?" could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly me where it went to?" force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "At the wedding breakfast." "It is very clear." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong allusion to a rat. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "But your client--" explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to before, for it was considerably after midnight. "None." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never frequently gained my first real insight into the character of considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such to take care of herself." "I am all attention, madam." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his