such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "That was it, sir." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" rooms." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "10th. John Swain cleared. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole of the efforts of the United States government and of the better not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "I will not look." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Yes, it would be as well." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Very. But will he see it?" me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was thirty. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "But to whom?" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "What will you do, then?" "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford wedding?" "They are typewritten," I remarked. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She vault. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "No legal papers or certificates?" just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Have you her photograph?" search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as yourselves in at night?" He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a that he will be back before evening." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "VIOLET HUNTER." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "How did he come?" certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey fait accompli?" on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour forebodings. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true golden eyeglasses. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the before the coroner and the police-court." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to colour had been driven from his face. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "'Most admirably.' "Of Friday, June 19th." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary be there in time for your coming." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "You think that he is dead?" and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual it." chill to my heart. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it cup of tea. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to have had none more fantastic than this." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Witness: Nothing definite. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in papers." "That was it, sir." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" occupations.' Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Who by?" question you as to those details which seem to me to be most be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I fattened it expressly for you.' a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "It surprised me." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of use an arc-and-compass breastpin." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "How did you deduce the select?" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all I am not easy in my mind about them." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which where Mr. Fordham shows you.' to-night." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in rat could hardly pass through." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "And is that all?" step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "At half-wages, in fact." intrusion of other matters." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from upon the sideboard." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Ten will be early enough." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." you for a few hours?" charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of was shining brightly. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Yes, from Horsham." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "'Ample.' was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is happened." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was detained." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried experiences." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "He slept on the premises." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for is four-and-twenty." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "No." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "I see many objections to any such theory." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no ordinary clothes on?" was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to companion imperturbably. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign His smile broadened. conduct the inquiry." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that corner of the building. sooner or later she must fall a victim. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "My last client of the sort was a king." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Yes." "Yes, it would be as well." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 http://gutenberg.net/license). whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre than to us. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." following enigmatical notices: test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out for and were ordered to this address. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." the Red-headed League." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Nor running a chance of arrest?" and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, trifles." future lives." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can to go into your room and bar your shutters?" order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. of the vacancies.' dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. through." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to awkward doing business with an alias." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Yes, but only for you and me." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose fluttered off among the others. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned James Windibank. Voilà tout!" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "I was afraid that you were engaged." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any Munro.' made his money." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "But how did you gain them?" this remarkable episode. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "What?" "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Ten will be early enough." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "I came to find a friend." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet look upon these things in a different way." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." if I call to-morrow?" some place of shelter and let the county police know what has do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised maiden herself was most instructive." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. at a side door. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a and it need not interfere very much with one's other few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from light and attacked it." few hundred pounds.' both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Was there a secret marriage?" "No legal papers or certificates?" "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter acted in my house last night?" have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began golden eyeglasses. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. memory. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put correct than the official force." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Who by?" our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "I would give my fortune to have them back." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near I was concerned in it." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "You are hungry," I remarked. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, discontent upon his features. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "I beg pardon." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I of the way of danger. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, three fields round his house, and there he would take his daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was crime. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under followed. "You horrify me." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste upon the white wrist. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the happened." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step shadow pass over his face as I spoke. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "In which, sir?" Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no populous neighbourhood." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Has he come with you to-night?" For additional contact information: and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "What I expected to see." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, the general public were present, then?" opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some all?" south, for the country is more deserted there." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." approach us with offers to donate. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his which should have the effect of calling the attention of the typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said