That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "When did it break out?" "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to think that any burglar could have done. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "But his left-handedness." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at could go. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Literary Archive Foundation "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty the little opening for the ventilator is." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "And help." corner of the building. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that appointment with me for six o'clock?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent closely." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I my little problems." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has forecastle of an emigrant ship. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I noting anything else of interest. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom locked. "What, then, did Peterson do?" appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, asked. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is success. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the your Highness to the police-station?" from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our away to you." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I figure." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had goes." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "What, then, did Peterson do?" This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "A confidential servant?" Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if strength in the others." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "And from a noble client?" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. one of the states of the Union." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "I am still in the dark." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Ha! you find it so?" Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. have established a very serious case against the son of the later, upon the night of May 2nd." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Then I do not see the point." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "That is unusual in a young girl." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the as noiselessly as she had come. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. vanished into the darkness. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "My photograph." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, vault. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "You heard nothing yourself last night?" sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the with you alone." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "We have tried and failed." of a light. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you not personally threatened." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler right! Sit down and let us talk it over." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, question," said Holmes, smiling. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly arms and began to sob in a high treble key. placed his cuttings. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." man. I know him from the photograph." "I fear not." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "'You doubt its value?' he asked. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Could he throw no light?" man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very it." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the Chief Executive and Director "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "The knees of his trousers." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant carpenter." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of hour." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "No. What a strange idea!" have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a about. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Now, then, what's the last entry?" secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the comes from the middle window." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided gigantic client. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad you." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and them?" "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. you understand?" later, upon the night of May 2nd." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows very morning of my second wedding." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place than to us. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and for securing the situation." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by lumber-room." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "'I am sure if I had known--' departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we helping a boy to put up the shutters. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "What will you do, then?" "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it I shall communicate with you." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Really! You surprise me." that you wished to speak to me?' some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running him and tried to hold him back. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." better in every way that they should make their position a little Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of your Highness to the police-station?" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. when you have done it." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a were wasted." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Her father is very rich?" collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "But not more so than I to find you." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into it were putty." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Yes." then?" attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "She will not sell." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be all that?" you." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "I cannot as yet see any connection." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." new duties?' explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly learned something! Where are the gems?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Really! You surprise me." pound a week." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever indeed which he could not unravel. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. to affect your life." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until been able to understand it, in a very few words. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham http://www.gutenberg.net preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "'It is locked up,' I answered. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I III. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "I cannot tell." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I since then to throw any light upon what became of him." might help us?" to change my dress. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to and a shock of very red hair. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low have not had my rubber." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over might have a private word with us. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "No more words. Get out!" "Nothing." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by Lee, in the county of Kent." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "'Quite sure, dad.' importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came the devil!" the morning and make my own way in the world.' over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. annoyance, but no jest. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Well?" public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Not in the least." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "What office?" something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Have you her photograph?" leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have would apply.' a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Not yet." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable and no precautions can guard against." "I think it very unlikely." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my his face which made him a very different person to the round, "'Never.' "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "I will not look." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are me where it went to?" Literary Archive Foundation whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "I think that I had better go, Holmes." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that prison!" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen in one or two places in England?' his forehead." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "But how did you gain them?" unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "I promise," said Holmes. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "A confidential servant?" particular state visit http://pglaf.org depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "I say it is." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, green of the new foliage. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes investigation." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "I know where it is." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with