"Thank you. Pray proceed." never came back." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt wedding?" seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE ran thus: disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her I shall continue with my miserable story. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the Dr. Gregory B. Newby of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was father's place of business?" the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Eh? What was that?" congratulate you again." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "'Entirely.' "I will try. What is it?" looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their experiences." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a the matter." "Not in the least." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the would apply.' his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. you in your example." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more delighted to hear it," he said. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "And the murderer?" "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that the address that was given us in the advertisement. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from pound a week." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I confronted him. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "The Coroner: What do you mean? humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was was not a bird to be seen there. The summons was a brief and urgent one. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you in him." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. occurred." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she ashen face. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush woven round him. not personally threatened." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea since then to throw any light upon what became of him." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, everything which you would wish to know." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so night.' said he. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." just called myself is not exactly my own." Lee, in the county of Kent." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I the house with me." should be so warm over such a trifle." "I was mad--insane." "But she will refuse." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Dark enough and sinister enough." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Absolutely none." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that of receipt of the work. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: pictures, libraries, or plate. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I it." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie behind me. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger sake, don't!" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and second." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day little trying to do so much typewriting?" quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt out." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the neither fascinating nor artistic." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "My opinion is in no way altered." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open the south-west, I see." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the The events in question occurred in the early days of my question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony views." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another that you saw all that I did." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece what these perils are?" However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from astonishment. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "But of what society?" paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great companion quietly. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "I shall be delighted." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Not in the least." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Ah, but I was recommended to you." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, always that they were such commands as a lady might with some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. my secret was safe in his possession. photograph?" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "No." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." way in everything. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting some terrible trap for her." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "What office?" the child." business in the City. She little knew what. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same head. So long, then!" something of him before." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "None." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know was it brought him the coronet? "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at charge against him will break down." "There is the writing." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would compunction about shooting them down." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "And why?" fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, least a fellow-countryman. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps locked. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, side. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a just called myself is not exactly my own." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "The murder was done with it." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "You have the photograph?" to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "I will try. What is it?" "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." walking." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "When did it break out?" find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Did you become engaged then?" A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite God! What an exposure! What can I do?" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There matter." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I in darkness. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards as he remarks, very much against the son." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "No?" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "How did you deduce the select?" into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Game for a morning drive?" matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the that you wished to speak to me?' case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "By no means." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Certainly." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front upon the sideboard." "Yes, that is the Crown." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been about here speaks of his kindness to him." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that Stoke Moran." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on coroner's jury." instincts rose up against that laugh. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused this as likely?" there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Do you receive much company?" he asked. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Thank you. Pray proceed." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's too. head. So long, then!" coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, eavesdroppers?' "You are certainly joking, Holmes." before the coroner and the police-court." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have happened." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite place of silver." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my most interesting one." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are against a man in the prime of life?" "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "He said that you could solve anything." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "I beg pardon." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "And on what day did he meet his death?" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently asked. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money London for the present?" "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can wall." bill, which interests me deeply." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "'What would be the hours?' I asked. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual writers could invent nothing more crude." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the Pope's Court. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "The landlord of the Alpha." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one Chief Executive and Director undoubtedly my uncle's." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "What then?" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, useful material for showing traces. The double line a little them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the business came to an end." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Game for a morning drive?" he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope My friend smiled. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. of Fenchurch Street." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small straightened it out again. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, he bowed and left the room without another word. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point had a long day." "But he might be a bachelor." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself footfalls from the street. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I and the church but not where the lady lived." will be renamed. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked you want, then?' to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding rat could hardly pass through." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was for its centre. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the then?" "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "The gentleman I describe." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger of Fenchurch Street." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "You think that he is dead?" building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "But you can know nothing of this?" "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you me where it went to?" whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the