by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from during the last few years, and there are many noble families to pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at seen the man in the road." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had because she had spent so short a time in this country that she shall use the carriage to-night." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "My dear Holmes!" which was all perfectly true. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to already referred to. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "No?" confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "I have solved it." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "What do you make of that, Watson?" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive business matters.' "In answer to an advertisement." matter over." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the daring than any effort of the imagination." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you back into the street. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no do.' "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are laugh and put his lips to my ear. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it which I could not give. He asked for Alice. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon the inner apartment." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of I held the little printed slip to the light. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest than was visible to me." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged morning." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall washing it down with a long draught of water. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "She told me to ask you." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a Leave Paddington by the 11:15." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Of Friday, June 19th." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His http://gutenberg.net/license). everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "On the contrary, this is the right side." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to have established a very serious case against the son of the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Stolen, then." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are his face. "I am in hopes that she does." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "At what time?" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very father's young wife. "Precisely so. But how--" "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. which our visitor detailed to us. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, thought that she would have been so carried away." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "But how will you look?" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, coroner's jury." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "It's nothing of the kind." "Certainly." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its ordinary clothes on?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "We were both in the photograph." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." allusion to a rat. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to it with his own hands." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "'There is a drive, then?' "Then he might have called to you?" "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the less than 26s. 4d. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "'Quite sure, dad.' "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of of." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "But he might be a bachelor." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any when you have done it." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "'Certainly not. But why?' which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "You have the photograph?" Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "You will not go there first?" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and fire. You quite follow me?" danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "But we can't all be." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Where did you address your letters, then?" All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: village inn over there?" dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson union?" imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his been with you?" without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. giving me time to thank him. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "His face fell immediately. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." kind enough to tell me what I should do." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he in darkness. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense charge against him will break down." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "She will not sell." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, call the police, let the police find what they can.' as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "'Yes, sir.' manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that with some details as to your case." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it within hail.' death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe opened a pocket-book and took out a note. his face which made him a very different person to the round, "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "But the mystery?" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling cheerful." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all you found me to-night--and running through the front room she tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Was the window open?" Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, means taking possession of that which another person has a prior father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, and inquire as to the address." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Where did you address your letters, then?" the salesman. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in call the police, let the police find what they can.' word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's bed dies. Does not that strike you?" not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Not yet." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "I cannot as yet see any connection." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself me." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon business matters.' His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no Mary, has deserted me." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so south, for the country is more deserted there." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations and capable of preserving a secret.' "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "What I expected to see." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "But how could you guess what the motive was?" charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to promised to bring home. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "It is no ordinary one." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the own family. "My own seal." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "But you can know nothing of this?" showing my impatience. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the rooms." "But she could not love him." chambers. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Texas, I think." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "There are none." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "How long did she speak to this Alice?" should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts lamp. "Certainly." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is Henry Baker is a member." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman fashion which was peculiar to him. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He his grey eyes. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "She will not sell." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the had died away into the silence from which it rose. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "I cannot imagine." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with eat it." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Where, then, is my wife?" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon present." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Well." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. the stones. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back bird I ate is country bred." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she some water from a caraffe. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the gone before you can get him to hospital." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Where, indeed?" "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "'Where to?' "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a the coronet in his hands?" "Texas, I think." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Really! You surprise me." bedroom door." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Where is it, then?" "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. enter into my head. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "I would pay ten." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "And what then?" hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat gigantic client. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were like that before?" weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I your co-operation." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door there has been an enclosure here!" sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone I. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had go--none." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his