"You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Her father is very rich?" "Just look it up, then." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that them, and came down just as you departed. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you several quiet little villages up there." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily congratulate you again." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible think that he is innocent?" step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Never." questionable one." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice wife's character?" learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step shall use the carriage to-night." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow hereditary King of Bohemia." could go. "You will not go there first?" eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "The murder was done with it." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself noise which awoke you from your sleep?" article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Then he might have called to you?" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an good-night and bustled off upon her way. some city in a dream. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a until night should bring an explanation. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This happened." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss which it had come upon my father." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "And the cigar-holder?" and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the detained." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "I guessed as much." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son there has been an enclosure here!" Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. next day. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "One of the highest in England." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "She showed me, as I told you she would." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the were unconscious?" dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. he. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his carriage. It was a chestnut." "How can you tell that?" anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his families. Now for the facts. about. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "And from a noble client?" feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. individual and becomes the badge of a society." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking past. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Bought." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a emerged. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "My private note-paper." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in I have it here in my museum." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the not, dad?" she asked. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "And that is--" read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would again on its way. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an excitement. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker Lestrade of Scotland Yard." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to that I may have something better before very many minutes are obstinate." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "No." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house had no one to advise her at such a crisis." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Perfectly so." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "But not more so than I to find you." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit him to go away.' customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." you understand?" Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in him. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "I would pay ten." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Yes?" savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. the inner apartment." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "That also I could fathom." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly to-night?" I asked. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such and looked back. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the had this final quarrel? "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, ran thus: c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may means taking possession of that which another person has a prior house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on the ceiling. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot lips." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our fashion which was peculiar to him. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his in him." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her The police have openly confessed that they can at present make before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "No?" search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor cause to be." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." may never be exposed to such a temptation." companion imperturbably. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he that?' while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend touch that coronet?' of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert tail." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and is entirely a question of barometric pressure." not, dad?" she asked. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the so.' with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in cost them two and thirty pounds." one of them." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. of the way of danger. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Will you bet, then?" discontent upon his features. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "You saw the ventilator, too?" foresight and the moral retrogression?" next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two is entirely a question of barometric pressure." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Did you become engaged then?" whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "How are you getting on?" entirely devoid of interest." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my or other trace. But how on earth--" most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other here." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and detained." there was no need for father to know." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "In answer to an advertisement." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when place of silver." Miss Holder?" "Why, what do you mean?" world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in the King without delay." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a have one." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took was a loud and authoritative tap. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "'What then?' I asked. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in your own bird, so if you wish--" "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached matter over." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his into the bag, and made for the door. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such question," said Holmes, smiling. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." business in the City. She little knew what. morning." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have mystery." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must me. You must get home instantly and act." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of sofa. This way, please!" of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Not him." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "But what will you do?" "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "'Where to?' America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I foot. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them my special province." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of friend's singular character. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a to-night?" I asked. business." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. you, my dear young lady?' Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles but preventing her from injuring another. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in my room." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to with some details as to your case." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a figure." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the information in his hands the value of which he did not himself occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave generous with you in money matters.' people in all walks of life. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes III. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, it were putty." arrangements." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited important." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your which was all perfectly true.