his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "'Yes, it was gone.' to arrive at through this?" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "You have compromised yourself seriously." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm of this gang." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, our word." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the in darkness. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "It surprised me." during which he might have communicated with his friend the gbnewby@pglaf.org his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "'What do you call purely nominal?' "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office would then never go into court at all." "I am about to be married." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he I held the little printed slip to the light. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our if only as a check to my own memory." wanted for ourselves." "But of what society?" present." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Yes, at the mines." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. was shining brightly. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out have got?" as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the confronted him. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger an introduction to him?" instituted." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." opportunities to fix the problem. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at which we had just quitted. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. and no precautions can guard against." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "I say that I have solved it." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." the driver. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were if I call to-morrow?" "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of some water from a caraffe. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Bought." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of again before evening." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to was once confined in the cab my mission was practically again before evening." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included conceal it?" these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked me where it went to?" 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in fish-monger and a tide-waiter." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" pound a week." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue served to weaken the effect. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be take the flies, but not before." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "I should wish to." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "By no means." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; woman." "And how did you find out?" chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "No bad?" are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each returning from some small jollification and was making his way "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your I leave." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful relation between them, and what the object of his repeated ceremony." "In the cells." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered the running down." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I feature." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light should be taken.' have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "'Is 4 pounds a week.' a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs children over to America with him, so that I found myself without stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to away into the river." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "'How far from the body?' I held the little printed slip to the light. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." husband's writing, madam." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "I was sure that I might rely on you." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be other means.' minor matters until to-morrow." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "I don't believe it." it right.' the morning and make my own way in the world.' beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "I say that I have solved it." works. away to you." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for late." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "No. His orders were to stay in the house." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "I have solved it." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew interested in these little problems, and since you are good have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." trifles." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put the side-table." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "I see no marks." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "And why?" little adventures." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "How long did she speak to this Alice?" that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, the general public were present, then?" shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "I should be immensely obliged to you." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Not yet." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious stepfather?" not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "I have hopes." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET face and glided from the room. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "You horrify me." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, the coronet in his hand?" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only only touch the interest." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally call you and give you the chance." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. suddenly upon us." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual which are rolled in Rotterdam." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted depend upon your compliance." "What! Had he lost his wife?" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his tell him that I know him to be innocent." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through your sleep?' combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. maiden herself was most instructive." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and maid will bring up your coffee." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One cause to be." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man name is different." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent what these perils are?" to-night?" I asked. "And is that all?" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good His name is Francis Prosper." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such during the last few years, and there are many noble families to delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this horse could go." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the hard-headed British jury." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. late." "Absolutely none." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Indeed! Whose, then?" can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "So I am. Very much so." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part was a perfect sample of the class. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "What steps will you take?" I asked. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's such person." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a chair. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "At half-wages, in fact." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." thin legs towards the fire. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, of campaign. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but prove to be little relation between the different incidents of rose-bushes. excitement. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "And I to find an enemy." rooms." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always was lame." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "My photograph." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he would apply.' Countess of Morcar's?" shall not find me ungrateful." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "'I am sure if I had known--' from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a out of this horrible affair." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His recall any case within my experience which looked at the first the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into happened." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" families. Now for the facts. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "What is it, then--a fire?" handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, served to weaken the effect.