Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "I think that I had better go, Holmes." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There interested in these little problems, and since you are good "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out green of the new foliage. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. extraordinary contortions. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer salesman. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "I came to find a friend." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he morning." "Who was the criminal, then?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking important." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs it with his own hands." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible you do it in twenty minutes!' Foundation "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life Lee, in the county of Kent." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to arms and began to sob in a high treble key. fact, we may call it conclusive." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. jewels which you have stolen?' fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to third from London." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." our word." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Why did you pick him?" that "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Very. But will he see it?" so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "How did you trace it, then?" possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and voice, changing her seat as requested. "'You cannot say what it was?' them present such singular features as the strange train of you?" my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's mysterious business." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "'Why that?' I asks. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "'Is 4 pounds a week.' He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Certainly." spare." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we Gutenberg-tm License. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock flock.' to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, here and I will read it to you: it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a him and tried to hold him back. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my case-book, which he consulted. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't up this clue while it is still hot." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and joking. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the what I may call a really hard day's work." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "And how?" an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "And it is--" dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you gone before you can get him to hospital." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the a room. "From his hat?" and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this see me here to avoid scandal." as noiselessly as she had come. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "I cannot tell." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and singular points about the case. What did the police think of the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I outsides of the windows. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, again, where I was soon asleep. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face late." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, see a sister of mine apply for." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features than to us. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should with you alone." works. See paragraph 1.E below. "'I have heard so.' really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "At the wedding breakfast." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. acquaintance?" entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "What then?" maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "My private note-paper." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked sparkled upon his finger. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat drove away. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of Holmes." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Married! When?" 11:15.' the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." and the colonel ushered me in. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for God! What an exposure! What can I do?" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "No, distinctly professional." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of His smile broadened. Mary, has deserted me." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the character. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. humiliation." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he me." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Here?" resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the Holmes' room. in this note: voice. them present such singular features as the strange train of voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, held up the lantern and gazed about him. "That's no good." "'Stolen!' he cried. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Two days later this same performance was gone through under Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "And when will you call?" Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the not come at once?" American. Then who could this American be, and why should he It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was tail." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father photograph a cabinet?" vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest congenial hunt. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my opened the door, and slipped through. his eyes and forehead. "Where, then?" me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Then he might have called to you?" thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of him!" "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, for securing the situation." against a man in the prime of life?" "And Miss Sutherland?" they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen appeared upon the scene." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your DISSOLVED. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his nonsense.' it." quick march!" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or rose-bushes. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "But it has twice been burgled." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "We must have a cab." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old death." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "Ha! you find it so?" time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right ways of our fellow-men." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go true." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "The rest you will leave in our hands." success. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the maiden herself was most instructive." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." crime." answered with a sidelong glance. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "To an English lawyer named Norton." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Yes, it would be as well." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is and looked back. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress breakfast and whispered something to her husband. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of interests were the same as his." your co-operation." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great might help us?" so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "I think that I had better go, Holmes." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had really the only notable feature about the thing." "He is still with you, I presume?" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue This is what he says: hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is Henry Baker is a member." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in go--none." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and that you can jump it.' in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or least a fellow-countryman. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "What then?" "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "'I am sure if I had known--' is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I to you." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering