photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My or in danger--" name is different." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" delirious. third from London." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "I have a cab outside." and capable of preserving a secret.' from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a have not had my rubber." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my south, for the country is more deserted there." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond points to suicide?" along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching as the one I chose?' shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "'Ample.' scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen that I may have something better before very many minutes are "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Yes, from Horsham." taking in every detail of the apartment. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." father's place of business?" glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open business in the City. She little knew what. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "No, my brougham is waiting." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that But Holmes shook his head gravely. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "What I expected to see." and I shall be with you presently." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." During two years I have had three consultations and one small as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "I should like to see him very much." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a lumber-room." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "So I am. Very much so." lectures into a series of tales." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the waste of energy." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Where did he live, then?" paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel for and were ordered to this address. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "And the cigar-holder?" "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered chambers. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon happened." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you Sutherland?" and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. to Leatherhead. questionable one." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "'Then let me do so?' there when the Rucastles went away." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "What, then, did Peterson do?" the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered relief. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their business matters.' twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "My dear Holmes!" sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "And help." "But how?" "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the an introduction to him?" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: ourselves in the office." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "I warn you that they are very incomplete." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive daring than any effort of the imagination." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises is worth.' "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "'In my own bureau.' details." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the tail." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "An enemy?" there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Yes." ways of our fellow-men." leaning back in his chair. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort in the dead of the night?' vague figure huddled up in the darkness. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we the stable lane now." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "It must be recovered." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "That is not always so easy." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "I fear not." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able second." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the power." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. to take care of herself." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "'No, I know no one in these parts.' the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "The landlord of the Alpha." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project III. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "You have carte blanche." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" answered with a sidelong glance. delirious. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood lumber-room." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have mystery!" Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This better grown goose." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "That sounds a little paradoxical." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the better grown goose." I held the little printed slip to the light. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which daring than any effort of the imagination." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel is acting for the best. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a politicians who had been sent down from the North. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "It goes to the housekeeper's room." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office miles off. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "'Yes, sir.' them, and came down just as you departed. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who affection." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." This is what he says: wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Which surely he restored to their owner?" you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Then the page we have seen--" go from here to the Strand." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs Edgeware Road. shoulder; "he's all right." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any as he remarks, very much against the son." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of suspect him." Surrey." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two the loss of it. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" answer." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid there was no need for father to know." which it had come upon my father." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "And leave your case unfinished?" of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in said he. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "What, then?" went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Come in!" said Holmes. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. appeal." been deceived." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Nothing?" knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend bare slabs of marble. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." cigar and let me expound." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Very much so." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge coroner's jury." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A It may be so in this case, also." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "At the wedding breakfast." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Was he the only applicant?" beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and in this way: "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "I cannot imagine." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "And how did he make his money?" get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I against a man in the prime of life?" focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if morning." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' speckled band?" "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "What then?" "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to me." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your my former friend and companion. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "To an end?" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "He said that you could solve anything." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "But it has twice been burgled." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "Yes, the wine-cellar." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, you understand?" "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at me, and I could not think that his explanation of the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours public press." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by whereabouts. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I Holmes rather sternly. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular a monotonous occupation." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a questioning and rather startled gaze. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "What then?" all?" written, and locked the door of the office after me. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you