and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," these bleak autumnal evenings." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "I cannot think." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "My dear Holmes!" "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at of fine shops and stately business premises that they really went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier him to go away.' "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" name is different." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "But you have hopes?" roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his union?" very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at she might be summoned. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you entirely devoid of interest." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be or other trace. But how on earth--" of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" over here." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just breakfast." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to some terrible trap for her." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "And now?" I asked. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss forehead. murdered man." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. I took the paper from him and read as follows: goes." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Then I am your man." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near evidence," I remarked. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. on re-entering her father's house?" "You horrify me." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I bled considerably." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my habit of advancing money.' carriage. It was a chestnut." that I can to serve you." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon coat-tails." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Why, it's a dummy," said he. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me said he. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business enough to aid us in our search." client, rising. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "But he might be a bachelor." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure strong and stiff." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Holmes, the busybody!" death." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with not interfere, come what may. You understand?" am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "I say that I have solved it." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "I am all attention, madam." said he. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "'And the work?' which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this nights." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and people in all walks of life. "It was an hour's good drive." disappearance of the bride.'" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "But you were on a friendly footing?" about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Pray do so." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the and put his glass in his pocket. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "'Most admirably.' understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Witness: Nothing definite. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "You have compromised yourself seriously." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous made him keep the appointment." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the you?" "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all a suggestive one." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would are windows in it, of course?" this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down tightly behind him. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Why did you pick him?" cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite and no precautions can guard against." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. his face. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. prison!" she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in all-comprehensive glances. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "And how did you find out?" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good weighed down with some great anxiety. always that they were such commands as a lady might with here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself writers could invent nothing more crude." with some details as to your case." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few acquaintance?" opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your words came to my lips. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "To an end?" calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT we went to search for him, face downward in a little cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as spare." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the 'please.'" "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders my little problems." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "My dear Holmes!" his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "When did it break out?" own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account business?" used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we habit of advancing money.' "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Your sister is dead, then?" hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, call you and give you the chance." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder congenial hunt. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." 1.E.9. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a just ask you whether you had heard it.' "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. head. So long, then!" consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his whether it answered to the description of any of their had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Certainly." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Pray let us have it, for all that." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who that before taking the final step I should like to submit the beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "But she will refuse." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" strong reason behind." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting outsides of the windows. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how you." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." an introduction to him?" had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had written. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at of campaign. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with do." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the I. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture business at Coburg Square is serious." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a thought that she would have been so carried away." Dr. Gregory B. Newby pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "My photograph." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I James Windibank. Voilà tout!" slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Well, some hundreds of times." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not acted in my house last night?" the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a if I call to-morrow?" The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his the side-table." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about you found me to-night--and running through the front room she individual and becomes the badge of a society." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the friends, not even his own brother. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these help us in this matter." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work never to learn it at all." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "That was it, sir." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is there were one or two details which were new to me. But the Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court started for the Temple to see my husband. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, do.' "Yesterday." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of dramatic, in fact." digesting their breakfasts at home." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. next day. so.' of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "That is easily got." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." it with his own hands." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "In the cells." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "'Quite sure, dad.' me." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "On your arm?" jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even I approached. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Do you go out much in society?" perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and said he at last. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no used to be." flock.' think that he is innocent?" following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and country, and eventually married, without anyone having a said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had of campaign. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "'In my own bureau.' "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there