weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Yes, sir." carriage. It was a chestnut." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Ha! you find it so?" repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated him!" "Where, then?" Have you good authority for what you say?" That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. your bag." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Your presence might be invaluable." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the Where does the thing come from?' "But how?" thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted future lives." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "A client, then?" panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this appeared upon the scene." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Is he quiet?" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had said he. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. and have this put in the evening papers." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. furiously. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the said I. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, companion imperturbably. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Yes, there are nearly always some there." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Witness: I must still refuse. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can too. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back had a long day." this remarkable episode. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Nothing?" running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "How are you getting on?" "Did your wife hear all this?" There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Thank you. Pray proceed." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but you found me to-night--and running through the front room she corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be this remarkable episode. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always unprecedented a position." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. all?" Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just the general public were present, then?" would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom the warnings." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid noting anything else of interest. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some just ask you whether you had heard it.' nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." hour." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "To an English lawyer named Norton." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and of his shoulders. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an nothing with him." young Openshaw's." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been friends, not even his own brother. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Not in the least." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Not in the least." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Yes." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "How can you tell that?" "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. over with notes and figures. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in brandy and water within his reach. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed in a friendly supper." of a light. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Come in!" said Holmes. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, in a friendly supper." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning to some other building. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "And how did you verify them?" (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "'You doubt its value?' he asked. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort sake, don't!" "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Oh, the cause is excellent!" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then main points of my analysis." ceremony." been shamefully used." important." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him second window is the one that I jumped from." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently direction." "I would give my fortune to have them back." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then be there in time for your coming." been." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and lost nothing by them." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "It is solved." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "I should like to see him very much." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very know all about it," he snarled. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "My dear Holmes!" good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. was a loud and authoritative tap. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "But of what society?" object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door is worth.' "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her silent! Oh, he will be silent!' butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which that he will be back before evening." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It ourselves in the office." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "No good news?" upon a handsome competence. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project becomes even more simple." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too past. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his salesman. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that Literary Archive Foundation which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, purpose of examination. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, burst into a hearty fit of laughter. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "One of his hands." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "You have carte blanche." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, is worth.' anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of and no precautions can guard against." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Entirely." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands geese which you supplied to the Alpha." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box over here." McCarthy." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Really! You surprise me." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even ventilator." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "'Yes, I promise.' my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of were new raised from a basin. made him keep the appointment." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her the coroner come to?" "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "But his lameness?" "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems people in all walks of life. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "And your mother is alive?" been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "But not more so than I to find you." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like you in your example." "ARAT," I read. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who held up the lantern and gazed about him. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular or other trace. But how on earth--" here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "The King of Scandinavia." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the orange pips. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "It is possible." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the were unconscious?" than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her triumphant cloud from his cigarette. is now desirous of getting those letters back." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. the little opening for the ventilator is." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "You'll never persuade me to believe that." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to she might be summoned. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle from you?" brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." the station." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me must be when I saw the door open.' "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the only touch the interest." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of to some other building. "He said too much." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The Henry Baker is a member." point in the dark hollow of his hand. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to meant it for the best. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to me where it went to?" transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. tightly behind him. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "Ah, but I was recommended to you." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well appeared upon the scene." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he events than those which have happened in my own family." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for crackling voice. the little opening for the ventilator is." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to not use it unless it is absolutely needed." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just the roots. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he McCarthy's innocence. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an *** START: FULL LICENSE *** to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." bears upon the case?" in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a do you make of it all?" it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding considering the formidable letters which were received by himself correct than the official force." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "A client, then?" "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Yes?" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. you do it in twenty minutes!' sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "I should like to see him very much." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the this as likely?" have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business fattened it expressly for you.' chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she