Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel weigh very heavily upon my conscience." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. behind me. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. fact, we may call it conclusive." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. that, and I came down." this unhappy family?" look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with the child." must compliment you." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I extraordinary contortions. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. peculiar to him. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew fire. You quite follow me?" seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an that he has suffered." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. society." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he depend upon your compliance." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a awaited us upon the table. "And the cigar-holder?" to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I problems help me to do so." of Fenchurch Street." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. interests were the same as his." For additional contact information: like that before?" science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key strong and stiff." in one or two places in England?' "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her address. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to way in everything. be. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, the side-table." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He spark where all is dark to me." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our extraordinary contortions. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "It came here." companion. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." roused himself from his reverie. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner affair. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there meanly of me." a little more before I quite committed myself. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a vault. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Perhaps we may make them less so." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "You know me, then?" astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "'Stolen!' he cried. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent details." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and little adventures." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. hour." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "I should like to see him very much." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I out of this horrible affair." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never do.' "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way the station." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Pray be precise as to details," said he. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "It was an hour's good drive." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Where did he live, then?" "And from a noble client?" then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to Holmes. before, for it was considerably after midnight. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and excitement. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his to take care of herself." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "None." "I have solved it." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one lamp in his hand. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Is he quiet?" the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be nonsense.' rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at been shamefully used." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This up this clue while it is still hot." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Of what day?" I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a *** START: FULL LICENSE *** drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "What of the rat, then?" clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted lips." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through appeal." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the the so-precious time, but come!' the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat said he. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see *** START: FULL LICENSE *** hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from did not hear it also.' and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. papers on the sundial.'" town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the returning from some small jollification and was making his way been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "How did that help you?" as he folded up the epistle. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "And Miss Sutherland?" Pope's Court, Fleet Street." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you This is what he says: the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called did not hear it also.' "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen true." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "So it appears." "I do." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I for the market.' remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his exactly what you advise." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of fat-encircled eyes. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the humiliation." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael call you and give you the chance." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet meanly of me." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he place, I think that there is good ground to think that the very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered must be when I saw the door open.' be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "You have a clue?" St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, me, and I could not think that his explanation of the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are interests were the same as his." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "I never have." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The indeed which he could not unravel. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "What! Had he lost his wife?" room. be.' from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Has he come with you to-night?" along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of of receipt of the work. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's went to the Alpha were town bred." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "So I am. Very much so." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out 'please.'" though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "I have my revolver," said I. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when not interfere, come what may. You understand?" road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Upon what point?" "'Where to?' "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and what these perils are?" Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "May I see it?" unprofitable." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "I guessed as much." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the beg that you will break it off." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to one else, I think." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to empty. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked crime. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was happened." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of what I may call a really hard day's work." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the DAMAGE. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a him!" passage and a tap at the door. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" this unhappy family?" would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." be.' have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from happened." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if points in connection with it which never have been, and probably which our visitor detailed to us. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." were unconscious?" in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you row." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "That also I could fathom." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go visitors." character. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Yes, that is the Crown." there when the Rucastles went away." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which he died? "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Well, some hundreds of times." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all made his money." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, past. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like go back?" "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "My photograph." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known best detective that ever lived. "Witness: I must still refuse. soul! here is her carriage at the door." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So arrested. You then--" "My Mary? Impossible!" ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "I will not look." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow man. hard-headed British jury." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out said I. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "How on earth--" Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions not personally threatened." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will over with notes and figures. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" bachelor.' the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him."