McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given have one." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do bedroom door." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "None." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "'About the same.' Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I my friend's incisive reasoning. "Indeed! Whose, then?" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, help us in this matter." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Precisely." drawing your inferences." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous to that open window." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a which should have the effect of calling the attention of the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have as he remarks, very much against the son." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Perfectly so." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. wall." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Have you her photograph?" wedding?" http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I right! Sit down and let us talk it over." me what he had done with the three missing stones. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This to that open window." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." as this. Pray let me have the details." without a word or a look. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at are, and they are waiting for us." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" then?" at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "But it has twice been burgled." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, tapping his fingers upon the table. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, village inn over there?" detective. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing house for five minutes.' panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed pound a week." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "How do you know, then?" confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" The telegram which we eventually received came late one night I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "'About the same.' believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to morning." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Was there a secret marriage?" two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I disappearance of these gems?" "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small him and tried to hold him back. your room." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." writer." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness the coroner come to?" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "No, I had a dozen." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more death." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. have had none more fantastic than this." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." how narrow had been my escape. charge against him will break down." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the her also." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and the coronet in his hands?" from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge anything to do with the matter?" Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was letters?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Well, but China?" which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled had this final quarrel? himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Witness: I must still refuse. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Get out!" said he. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' of this gang." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I where she found matters as described by the last witness. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even public press." "And how did you find out?" quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press imbecility!" he cried. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "But how?" yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Very. But will he see it?" we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "That is it on the dressing-table." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given families. Now for the facts. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. in this note: security.' pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the get the tickets." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were call the police, let the police find what they can.' other, as fresh and trim as possible. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "'Entirely.' became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "'Yes, I promise.' "Yes. He waved his hands." certainly do as you advise." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal events than those which have happened in my own family." "No. What a strange idea!" all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "They are typewritten," I remarked. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his fishes. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and because she had spent so short a time in this country that she such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had likely to be some crony of the landlady's." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "My private note-paper." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the helping a boy to put up the shutters. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been the armchair which I pushed forward for him. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice this truth that in these little records of our cases which you against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera purpose equally well?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great third from London." clanging. said he. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "I would pay ten." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would way in." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, you." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new been able to understand it, in a very few words. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Yes, he did." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "I came to find a friend." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, people in all walks of life. your billet.' "Then I shall certainly come." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Tired-looking or fresh?" "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found woven round him. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "No, but the enclosure is." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new a little more before I quite committed myself. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "It was a confession," I ejaculated. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is ago." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, lumber-room." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord Street. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "When did she vanish, then?" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would other lovers by making love himself." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he to affect your life." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "My dear Holmes!" Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold hurried away. dramatic, in fact." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an jewels which you have stolen?' train.' that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Pray continue your narrative." on in his house." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to hair?' "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis which our visitor detailed to us. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "What will you do, then?" "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." it." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "And from a noble client?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were you, my dear young lady?' now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "I say that I have solved it." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." indiscretion." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it 11:15.' and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely over his head with a sweet womanly caress. to miss it." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Seven!" I answered. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." sufficient punishment." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "No bad?" of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about the coronet at all injured?" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great unkempt, staring out at me. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life but preventing her from injuring another. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I triumphant cloud from his cigarette. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Never to return." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a October 9, 1890. more terrible than the truth. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much meant." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." the general public were present, then?" your troubles." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "The best possible." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite fled together." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at