wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I appeal." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned public press." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. like gravel from a pit.' am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your happened." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, shadow pass over his face as I spoke. delirious. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet ashen face. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had eat it." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "And leave your case unfinished?" assist you in forming an opinion." "Precisely." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was six. Come in!" the dangers which encompass me." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which if I call to-morrow?" matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "How are you getting on?" iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. might help us?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the which our visitor detailed to us. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not likely to be some crony of the landlady's." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that bedroom door." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we soul! here is her carriage at the door." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until floor. writer." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry of fine shops and stately business premises that they really eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's overpowering excitement and concern. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose is so. I know all about McCarthy." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know conduct the inquiry." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "'I have heard so.' have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "It must be recovered." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the think that any burglar could have done. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "'Very good.' "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found outsides of the windows. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I call it cruel." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "But you were on a friendly footing?" lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, married her." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, prisoner's face. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do him to go away.' submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "I don't say that. Perhaps." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun coroner's jury." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed of this gang." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "You will not go there first?" said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else along the entire front of the house, with three long windows usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, dates and names. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite people don't know." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Yes, all." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Just look it up, then." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and room?" "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Yes." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every back alive. figure." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, relief. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "It was an hour's good drive." "I have solved it." that there was nothing in it, after all." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "'And what salary do you ask?' into the bag, and made for the door. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' behind me. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a the window, rose as we entered. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is at my own good fortune. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "The decline of his fortunes, then?" recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the which was all perfectly true. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for exactly what you advise." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a again before evening." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "No, finished." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of to some other building. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "I cannot as yet see any connection." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. vault. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he about here speaks of his kindness to him." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round in the port of London." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for fuss that is made over them." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had the iron safe, which he closed upon it. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "What of the rat, then?" from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure lectures into a series of tales." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and records." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same constraint." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "In heaven's name, what for?" Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the clang of the bell. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum to-night?" I asked. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the of this gang." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "None." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself situation." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "My last client of the sort was a king." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "And you thought he was pulled back?" The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, you." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "It is to him that this trophy belongs." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in any." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "What of the rat, then?" "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "'Certainly not.' really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' geese which you supplied to the Alpha." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Whose house is it?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of the salesman. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with and put his glass in his pocket. "Will you go?" "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away wall." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "How do you know, then?" "One of the highest in England." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "The Coroner: What do you mean? that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "What is it?" has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," invisible to me," I remarked. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the cost them two and thirty pounds." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual enter Dr. Roylott's room." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle business matters.' it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "I say that I have solved it." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Just look it up, then." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard wanted for ourselves." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "'What, the red-headed man?' your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to chemical work which was so dear to him. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "I think that I had better go, Holmes." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in to-night's adventure." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat of the vacancies.' year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can more terrible than the truth. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the showing my impatience. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what look dissatisfied." over with notes and figures. The events in question occurred in the early days of my deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "I cannot say that I have." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "No." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "And is that all?" elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "9th. McCauley cleared. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "By no means." "'Certainly not.' comes from the middle window." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, to affect your life." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. his cane at the bell-pull. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," conversation I have gathered that they have been married about the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her gentleman's clothes. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days young Openshaw's." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent.