bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of once more. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. was a loud and authoritative tap. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Yes, at the mines." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and closely." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my had a long day." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost is," said he presently: point in the dark hollow of his hand. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "This photograph!" preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and do.' Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; suddenly upon us." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own bare slabs of marble. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a or in danger--" commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "'Why that?' I asks. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "How did that help you?" skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. possible that we could bring him back to her? well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, some place of shelter and let the county police know what has which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his bedroom door." back into the street. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "No. His orders were to stay in the house." be best to do. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you father's place of business?" overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for to-night?" I asked. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the letters?" inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "I warn you that they are very incomplete." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the as he folded up the epistle. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "I will try. What is it?" suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "It is true that I have been generally successful." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "But of what society?" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you noting anything else of interest. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "I think that I had better go, Holmes." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his with frightened eyes at his accuser. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "'Never.' Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" placed his cuttings. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from already referred to. "But the mystery?" can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and and the colonel ushered me in. bare slabs of marble. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he read it out to me." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "And how have you succeeded?" "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. taking in every detail of the apartment. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Then he might have called to you?" known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." the inner apartment." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. Foundation "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' in the port of London." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "So I have heard." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Then I shall certainly come." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the the side-table." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "I am in hopes that she does." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he politicians who had been sent down from the North. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Very well, sir. And this stone?" course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "At the wedding breakfast." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Yes." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the the window, rose as we entered. "Tired-looking or fresh?" page at http://pglaf.org which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Here?" "Why serious?" chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "'Certainly,' I answered. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This fish-monger and a tide-waiter." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Quite so." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Of Friday, June 19th." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "A client, then?" "Certainly." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence had a long day." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police about here speaks of his kindness to him." "What I expected to see." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord exactly what you advise." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "And who is her maid?" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must meant." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The and wait." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "It was." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very could not have written that. It is the German who is so true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "My stepfather's business papers." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' if only as a check to my own memory." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced posted to-day." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me stepfather?" in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "'And what salary do you ask?' having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, girl said." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter shoulder; "he's all right." forecastle of an emigrant ship. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "'As governess?' business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into appeared upon the scene." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is clanging. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's golden eyeglasses. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of I took the paper from him and read as follows: "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears in him." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking business." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "It was a confession," I ejaculated. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very to have that photograph." "And I say east," said my patient. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One to arrive at through this?" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had read it out to me." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There tied." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Will you go?" of a light. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the II. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, them?" front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this congratulate you again." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "But how did you gain them?" - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Was your sister dressed?" their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his The summons was a brief and urgent one. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses seem to you to be relevant or not." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "It is a murder, then?" I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged mystery." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she whether it answered to the description of any of their quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Watson," he said cordially. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his minor matters until to-morrow." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit opportunities to fix the problem. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too and glanced through. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting friends, not even his own brother. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a both be extremely obliged.' Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not London for the present?" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has side. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed States. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. http://gutenberg.net/license). crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk posted to-day." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. open." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Absolutely none." "Not in the least." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the strength in the others." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I gigantic client. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "'No, I know no one in these parts.' in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Yes." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Yes." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in use an arc-and-compass breastpin." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the be. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler to go into your room and bar your shutters?" a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to feature." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a man. I know him from the photograph." "What I expected to see." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand is worth.' bearing upon the case." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain one's self under obligations.' however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "'Yes, it was gone.' upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a absolutely follow my advice in every respect." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss joking. conceal it?" in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "My opinion is in no way altered." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier minor matters until to-morrow." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in grasp, he hurried from the room. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you