for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness guilty one." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the read it out to me." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "And Irene Adler?" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large before the coroner and the police-court." house for five minutes.' Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning Lee, in the county of Kent." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Very murderous indeed." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Here?" Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry which our visitor detailed to us. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that upon the sideboard." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Did he not advertise?" girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off Clair, of Lee." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "It is possible." enter Dr. Roylott's room." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with McCarthy's innocence. "I will do it." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over presume?" for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' once more to my work. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of was the fact that his father should, according to his account, heavy and sharp instrument." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these me, and I could not think that his explanation of the followed. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of went to the Alpha were town bred." "It is solved." Foundation man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. seem to you to be relevant or not." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad in this way: Edgeware Road. quick march!" 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut appointment with me for six o'clock?" waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; details." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Certainly." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a opportunities to fix the problem. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of call you and give you the chance." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were where she found matters as described by the last witness. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I and the whole place is in a blaze." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see as this. Pray let me have the details." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." presume?" autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from one or two very singular points about this room. For example, edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever you?' seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of cigars in their mouths. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, became a certainty. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "In what way?" asked Holmes. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have of your young ladies.' "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for will find little credit to be gained out of this case." in him." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our himself. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "That's no good." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be his knees, staring into the fire. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Which are?" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "We must have a cab." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of over with notes and figures. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Yes." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch not come at once?" advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, suspect him." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Did he not advertise?" me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "But he might be a bachelor." Holmes. "You have a clue?" lamp in his hand. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly call the police, let the police find what they can.' "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a absorbing." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear relief. be there in time for your coming." meant." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." hand, madam?" hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who IS "Get out!" said he. is a common subject for conversation. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "The Coroner: What do you mean? his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes gbnewby@pglaf.org Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you Henry Baker is a member." "And help." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass colonel looking down at me. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is kind enough to tell me what I should do." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "'I have already given you my word.' The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no heavy and sharp instrument." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked think that any burglar could have done. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "And Miss Sutherland?" has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague something of him before." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Then, how do you know?" "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Why? What do you mean?" "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was hour?' say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that his face which made him a very different person to the round, copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Perhaps we may make them less so." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might my secret was safe in his possession. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of IS "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn said he. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "It was." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Your sister is dead, then?" surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your article?" and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever in the dead of the night?' he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "'Oh, no.' 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing and your relations to her." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "And what then?" so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "The murder was done with it." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "And how did he make his money?" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, astonishment. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Won't it ring?" "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of come either from the window or the door. My attention was something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. have not had my rubber." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "But his left-handedness." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "At what time?" morning." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "And why?" set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "May I see it?" Have you good authority for what you say?" him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in roused himself from his reverie. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "So I heard. You have him here?" "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he peculiar to him. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds guilty one." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg annoyance, but no jest. "Come in!" said Holmes. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to like gravel from a pit.' "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Then I am your man." For additional contact information: "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I my little problems." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone disappearance of the bride.'" during that time.' "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Certainly." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of remarked. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. could not have written that. It is the German who is so with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "But she could not love him." public press." infinite languor in his face. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and disappearance of these gems?" "But what harm can there be in that?" nonsense.' Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me to Leatherhead. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "But to whom?" the night.' smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "The gentleman I describe." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." them?" should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad interest. They are important, you understand, without being "How did that help you?" those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "'About the same.' was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to is now desirous of getting those letters back." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "But he might be a bachelor." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. strength." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "'Why that?' I asks. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her night.' said he. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his introspective fashion. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Well, it is a possible supposition." "'In my own bureau.' as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his that threaten you." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as back to my heart. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may little adventures." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "How on earth--" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and foot. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." prepare for the new role I have to play." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said get her out of the way." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Come in!" said he. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative