grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. know that the truth is known." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Your French gold?" "Texas, I think." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind cigars in the box." to change my dress. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I his cane at the bell-pull. "I have a cab outside." direction." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in corner of the building. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "I do." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress neither fascinating nor artistic." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "The Cedars?" "You have compromised yourself seriously." hair?' very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. a suggestive one." "No." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her had this final quarrel? in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this green of the new foliage. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that horse could go." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "'I am sure that I do not know.' vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving place, I think that there is good ground to think that the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" public press." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if head. So long, then!" ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or been deceived." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," the side-table." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me through." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa London for the present?" "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say pierced for earrings?" do." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "And you can do nothing until then?" Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "His face fell immediately. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. This is what he says: presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the until night should bring an explanation. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. mystery!" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Yes." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of to-night?" I asked. entirely lost his self-respect." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your at home. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. highly," said Holmes. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Then you may be so with me." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, peculiar to him. "9th. McCauley cleared. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the wedding?" may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "I am still in the dark." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was without a word or a look. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." and the church but not where the lady lived." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Yes." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the events than those which have happened in my own family." locked." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "And sit in the dark?" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must pound a week." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "In the cells." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" handed it to him. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you electronic works "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy of campaign. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the tell me that you intended to go into harness." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for when your master had gone out." "Not particularly." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "It is a murder, then?" have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem congratulate you again." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Witness: Nothing definite. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. quickly through a disagreeable task. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you towards the blaze. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, man. I know him from the photograph." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." are, and they are waiting for us." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "And what then?" "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "And you can do nothing until then?" I held the little printed slip to the light. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning rat could hardly pass through." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this crime." "Yes, it would be as well." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "You'll never persuade me to believe that." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' prepare for the new role I have to play." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and chemical work which was so dear to him. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my burst out into a roar of laughter. crime. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save clang of the bell. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was you in yours." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "You will not go there first?" lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in ago." paper in the air. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "What have you to say now?" voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you developed." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by them?" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your to-night?' science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really habit of advancing money.' coat-tails." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for to-morrow." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "One of his hands." morning." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in noise which awoke you from your sleep?" http://gutenberg.net/license). pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me nonsense.' Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and presume?" sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that me. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods that there was nothing in it, after all." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which arrested. You then--" "There is the writing." corner of the building. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "At half-wages, in fact." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Yes, sir." British peeress.'" be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "It surprised me." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless locked." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in occurred." she to prove their authenticity?" analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He just called myself is not exactly my own." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "I warn you that they are very incomplete." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have criminal. We have already had experience of such." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique like that before?" half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in Mrs. Toller serenely. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the character. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "And why in hopes?" know that the truth is known." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double at a side door. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Nothing." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my and I shall be with you presently." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me and I shall be with you presently." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Because he was handy and would come cheap." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a Eyford." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to think you a quite exceptional woman." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "I see no marks." Literary Archive Foundation off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. present." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and awkward doing business with an alias." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not call the police, let the police find what they can.' office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "If so, much may have happened between." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." fat-encircled eyes. showing my impatience. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with villagers almost as much as their master. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Certainly." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would went to the Alpha were town bred." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the bird I ate is country bred." in the port of London." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see kindly on the shoulder. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. if I call to-morrow?" "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very could not have written that. It is the German who is so heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "What have you done?" asked Holmes. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in chemical work which was so dear to him. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his bare slabs of marble. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left always that they were such commands as a lady might with "No." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be