deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now all that?" Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "No, I am descending." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand writing, and yet I know it well." hour." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "What will you say?" "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without she might be summoned. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and obstinate." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I second." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "There are none." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated forbidden door. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Thank you. Pray proceed." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a could gather together that I was able to avert another public waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, it." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "It surprised me." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "But you were on a friendly footing?" as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Dark enough and sinister enough." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Because he was handy and would come cheap." the side-table." nothing with him." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "I should like to see him very much." chambers. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "How did that help you?" Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the annoyance, but no jest. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. is now desirous of getting those letters back." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. formed some opinion?" "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "And leave your case unfinished?" "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "It missed him, then?" the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "I cannot think." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Was there a secret marriage?" I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Absolutely none." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Then he might have called to you?" all?" heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." than to us. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until so.' person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a copied or distributed: houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "'Which dealer's?' studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted maid will bring up your coffee." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of http://www.gutenberg.net has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "No legal papers or certificates?" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' you do it in twenty minutes!' cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of upon an income of about 60 pounds." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is Chief Executive and Director possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "You know me, then?" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard really the only notable feature about the thing." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a read over the extraordinary announcement. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. Cross for the Continent." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they character. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught next day. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "'Yes, it was gone.' evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more think, you have already met." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. horse could go." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Stoke Moran?" said he. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" dead, shall be safe with us." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. desk. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Ample." "The gentleman I describe." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those indeed happy." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Where, indeed?" any more." I held the little printed slip to the light. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, disturbance in my wife." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped way: The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are she to prove their authenticity?" few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one is entirely a question of barometric pressure." papers." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love light and attacked it." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I as noiselessly as she had come. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing name is different." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "What can you not understand?" to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon Farm upon the left." woven round him. of the way of danger. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot keep the flames under. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird events, Mr. Windibank!" prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made and the whole place is in a blaze." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging singular points about the case. What did the police think of the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special of receipt of the work. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' emerged. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "None." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK DAMAGE. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" gone. "So it appears." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "But she could not love him." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. ordinary clothes on?" dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are posted to-day." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his society." families. Now for the facts. think you a quite exceptional woman." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be appointment with me for six o'clock?" cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I was not a bird to be seen there. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "What office?" of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of bird of prey. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, excitement. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back look dissatisfied." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a there is a decided draught." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we waste of energy." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set crackling voice. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the business at Coburg Square is serious." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon highly," said Holmes. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the DAMAGE. in a very precise fashion." "You have a clue?" shoulder; "he's all right." "But not more so than I to find you." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." to talk it over. "Then I can wait in the next room." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence Leave Paddington by the 11:15." mysterious business." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and I leave." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your companion imperturbably. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "But how did you gain them?" She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the garden below. when you have done it." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it ready to-morrow?' calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and such attractions and accomplishments?' felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! made his money." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a shoulder. signal between you and your father? and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Was she in good spirits?" Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "It missed him, then?" behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the in darkness. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "And why?" the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "About a month then." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. his face. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "I have hopes." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest lamp. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came Sutherland. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more throat." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "And leave your case unfinished?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come guilty one." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Did you become engaged then?" strength of mind to control. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It and a shock of very red hair. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," touch that coronet?' open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger his huge brown hands. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard