"The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the pictures, libraries, or plate. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an discontent upon his features. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was the bed, and you in that chair." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my this poor creature." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a events than those which have happened in my own family." forebodings. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful away into the river." works. See paragraph 1.E below. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "But you were on a friendly footing?" You want to know what became of those geese?" conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "When did it break out?" "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had The events in question occurred in the early days of my whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this shaken than I had ever seen him. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "'I have already given you my word.' keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "No, but the enclosure is." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "And how did you find out?" considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see ready to-morrow?' all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated License. You must require such a user to return or "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "What shall I do?" not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled unkempt, staring out at me. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have Clair, of Lee." "I am following you closely," I answered. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his Holmes. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My I held the little printed slip to the light. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in such attractions and accomplishments?' of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to and the whole place is in a blaze." details." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and said he. this Miss Turner." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing to have that photograph." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to night.' said he. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "How are you getting on?" believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the a little more before I quite committed myself. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, through." "And is that all?" not, dad?" she asked. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. the little opening for the ventilator is." "None." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "We must have a cab." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly tied." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Thank you. Pray proceed." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical into the bag, and made for the door. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean not fit the lock." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "At what time?" But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper daring than any effort of the imagination." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain the driver. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his it." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "I will get her to show me." over here." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a power." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, 'please.'" middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "'Is purely nominal.' possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross mystery." "It is possible." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from hands. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that cup of tea. front of me. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. his face. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "No sign of it?" We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Frequently." existence." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had bedroom door." sneer upon his pale face. "Precisely so. But how--" man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "The best possible." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for into the room. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to get her out of the way." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, trifles." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away upon a handsome competence. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to crackling voice. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen Eyford." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few already referred to. three of the beryls in it, was missing. "I know where it is." "What then?" full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this him!" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "And for present expenses?" heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "'About the same.' said I. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his wedding?" landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "'In my own bureau.' pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Breckinridge is his name." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Do you receive much company?" he asked. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to had a long day." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that is now desirous of getting those letters back." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she exactly what you advise." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this I took the paper from him and read as follows: I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually views." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "It's nothing of the kind." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. status with the IRS. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the putting in the horse. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, was not a bird to be seen there. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "But we can't all be." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or cost them two and thirty pounds." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had and all of them with the keenest interest. "'Then let me do so?' coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored redistribution. plantation.' where Mr. Fordham shows you.' Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." 11:15.' mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle mysterious business." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "It was a confession," I ejaculated. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. the so-precious time, but come!' Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Only as much as we can deduce." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "'A dozen yards or so.' waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such leaning back in his chair. three fields round his house, and there he would take his "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out memory. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very such attractions and accomplishments?' "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" just ask you whether you had heard it.' them?" building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with fatally injured? terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for for the market.' "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, business." in him." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge upon the shelf for the interim." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this lamp in his hand. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Yes." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent way: Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, look upon these things in a different way." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and some terrible trap for her." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before quick march!" unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. very old mansion. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Frequently." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business Farm upon the left." "I am armed." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger that you wished to speak to me?' was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an relation between them, and what the object of his repeated photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, him and tried to hold him back. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We of them has the shutters up.' my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy said he. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Yes, that is the Crown." as he folded up the epistle. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an is a common subject for conversation. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to seem to you to be relevant or not." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black