had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They seem to you to be relevant or not." "What will you say?" a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Dirty?" at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the long narrative. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Always." wedding?" you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Breckinridge is his name." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." the driver. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence God! What an exposure! What can I do?" I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter never came back." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, presented more singular features than that which was associated he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "I answered that I had not. the bottom.' which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its frequently gained my first real insight into the character of Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as Eyford at 11:15.' the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent absorbing." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. did not hear it also.' that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face observed. "Ah!" Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say Eyford at 11:15.' presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "And you thought he was pulled back?" Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. nothing with him." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the residence of the great financier. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast if she died from some sudden fright." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in he bowed and left the room without another word. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently fluttered off among the others. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person awaited us upon the table. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who quite distinctive." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "And is that all?" man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "Where, indeed?" "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to showing my impatience. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "But how did you gain them?" "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." are windows in it, of course?" "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "I will try. What is it?" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had to a more successful conclusion." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." prison!" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep the armchair which I pushed forward for him. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every his face which made him a very different person to the round, then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or outside." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "In what way?" asked Holmes. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a the stones. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must better in every way that they should make their position a little from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed them?" with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "And now?" I asked. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Certainly." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen During two years I have had three consultations and one small would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his your troubles." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not main points of my analysis." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating way in." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom families. Now for the facts. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "He disappeared so suddenly." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' noise which awoke you from your sleep?" business in the City. She little knew what. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon sofa. This way, please!" End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "This concluded the examination of the witness." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "'I am sure that I do not know.' As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of learned something! Where are the gems?" "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "I should like to see him very much." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" taking in every detail of the apartment. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "'Quite sure, dad.' "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture his fortune, and I went back to pa. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to the child." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." already referred to. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "What! Had he lost his wife?" it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the Mary, has deserted me." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "No legal papers or certificates?" equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of if only as a check to my own memory." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag matter." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony II. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It some place of shelter and let the county police know what has shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Yes." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that events, Mr. Windibank!" week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the matter over." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "No." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Yes." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "I have my revolver," said I. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little the matter?" "It looks newer than the other things?" which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." which it had come upon my father." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "And what then?" room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Have you her photograph?" misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "At the wedding breakfast." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in delirious. had died away into the silence from which it rose. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon who was a member of your goose club." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered the matter?" is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs an introduction to him?" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the one of them." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side if I call to-morrow?" been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled swore that no one else had been in the front room during the Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "We must have a cab." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on remarked. "You are hungry," I remarked. to take care of herself." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I III. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "This photograph!" and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. coat-tails." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he But Holmes shook his head gravely. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Your sister is dead, then?" "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Deserted you?" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her said he. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "'And what salary do you ask?' of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year answered with a sidelong glance. the bed, and you in that chair." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set Foundation "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "What!" he roared. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Yes, certainly." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "And from a noble client?" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. gbnewby@pglaf.org "Look there!" said he. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's at once, for I have only half an hour." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "No, I am descending." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "BALLARAT." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these some mystery and the punishment of some crime." What do you deduce from it?" I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "No, I am descending." "There are none." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving upon the shelf for the interim." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" States. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "That sounds a little paradoxical." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, orange pips. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands 1.F. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "But how could you guess what the motive was?" 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' one or two very singular points about this room. For example, habit of advancing money.' prisoner's face. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "And I to find an enemy." "Where, indeed?" unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Never." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at companion. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was weighed down with some great anxiety. weary and pale-looking. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Well?" your room." possible that we could bring him back to her? while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "He said that you could solve anything." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "I beg pardon." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "She showed me, as I told you she would." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another what these perils are?" "'And what are they worth?' I asked. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Stolen." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I