presented which may be striking and bizarre without being and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "I was certainly surprised to find you there." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "'Certainly not.' is now desirous of getting those letters back." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his God! What an exposure! What can I do?" my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, could gather together that I was able to avert another public fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders License. You must require such a user to return or we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. think that he is innocent?" "Why, what do you mean?" colonel looking down at me. Street. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." the coronet in his hand?" when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some now. It seems that there had been some informality about their man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, of campaign. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. these bleak autumnal evenings." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." our word." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a excitement. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "'Where to?' "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, papers diligently of late, have you not?" places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was charged with?" bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Just look it up, then." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "The knees of his trousers." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I forehead. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his the loss of it. "Your French gold?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have should be so warm over such a trifle." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "We must sit without light. He would see it through the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our is worth.' silent! Oh, he will be silent!' the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in your equipment. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a present." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." her also." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "But you were on a friendly footing?" Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Did your wife hear all this?" have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my may never be exposed to such a temptation." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "They are typewritten," I remarked. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "And I say east," said my patient. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook searched, without anything being found which could incriminate ways including including checks, online payments and credit card a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable chamber." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "How do you know, then?" so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear will he say when he returns?" no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "What of the rat, then?" his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but depend upon your compliance." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm together. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. wife's character?" the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. forbidden door. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been again." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in there!' formed some opinion?" since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, should be so warm over such a trifle." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Will you bet, then?" "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be closely." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the to-morrow." Street. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, acquaintance?" "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for she slowly sank and died without having recovered her there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client your Highness to the police-station?" Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, ran thus: eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and sofa. This way, please!" "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about some mystery and the punishment of some crime." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a hereditary King of Bohemia." "Here?" beyond words. get her out of the way." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely disturbance in my wife." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "So I have heard." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and already referred to. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek have accepted such a situation. "At half-wages, in fact." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "On the contrary, this is the right side." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with hurried away. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was quick march!" "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to becomes even more simple." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "I will, Miss Turner." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." for the market.' you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "I don't believe it." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. not come at once?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of she slowly sank and died without having recovered her possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Henry Baker is a member." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and fashion which was peculiar to him. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Do you go out much in society?" "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. made his money." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the the side-table." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "'Most admirably.' "Then I am your man." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident of his shoulders. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with the night.' "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "That is not always so easy." you came in." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before this unhappy family?" an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life hand, madam?" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "One?" the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "I say that I have solved it." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "But your client--" as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "No, I had a dozen." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "It goes to the housekeeper's room." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the of them has the shutters up.' "Look there!" said he. as this. Pray let me have the details." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, in a very precise fashion." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "'Why that?' I asks. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice fait accompli?" you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. extraordinary contortions. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Where, indeed?" pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was noble correspondent could be. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who nothing of it?" can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "'What do you call purely nominal?' 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had him." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing opened the door, and slipped through. "Do you go out much in society?" already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "I have come for advice." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Bought." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "You think so, too?" used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave union?" most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young congratulate you again." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of astonishment. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand writing, and yet I know it well." call it cruel." breakfast." who was a member of your goose club." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "I am sure." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts point in the dark hollow of his hand. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that maid will bring up your coffee." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Where to?" "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an round with crates and massive boxes. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to quick march!" scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel more solid." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. joking. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see will take you up to see the machine.' pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Seven!" I answered. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed eavesdroppers?' quick march!" clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "I shall most certainly do so." have I gained?" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow Countess of Morcar's?" voice. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "What?" upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" and the colonel ushered me in. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my I nodded again. "None." me have 200 pounds?' call for it in person on Monday morning.' "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the compunction about shooting them down." hour?' "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and bedroom door." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the man. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us I was concerned in it." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it