A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "To the police?" "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil answer." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Where, then?" address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." that threaten you." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Texas, I think." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "No, but the enclosure is." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Witness: It was. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Stolen." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "A client, then?" "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever is entirely a question of barometric pressure." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "And your father? Did you tell him?" Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "I say it is." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." there!' maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to figure." "His face fell immediately. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. followed. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "And leave your case unfinished?" I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems in the dead of the night?' the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror corner of the building. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Yes, sir." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Oh, the cause is excellent!" gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg ago." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Ha! you find it so?" up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether will find little credit to be gained out of this case." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote Chief Executive and Director "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Why? What do you mean?" used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most emerged. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or house for five minutes.' "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. any little problem which you may submit to me." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to touch that coronet?' "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, followed. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his questionable one." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Is he quiet?" the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "And how did you find out?" to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "By no means." "And on what day did he meet his death?" front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Yes, all." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Because he was handy and would come cheap." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, place, I think that there is good ground to think that the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Well, but China?" strange features which were associated with the two crimes which entirely lost his self-respect." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after answered with a sidelong glance. "None." "Nearly eleven." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "None." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the present." me what he had done with the three missing stones. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be forecastle of an emigrant ship. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my Sholtos." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." correct than the official force." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With get her out of the way." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert respectable self." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Where, then?" explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "I should like to see him very much." strength in the others." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute sake, don't!" "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Oh, fresh and glossy." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "I am about to be married." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Very. But will he see it?" at once, for I have only half an hour." "None." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "No." "How on earth--" "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "'What would be the hours?' I asked. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster feature." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned all?" goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "I cannot tell." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding passage and a tap at the door. Clair, of Lee." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told man. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding the little opening for the ventilator is." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary never to learn it at all." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "What then?" "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Witness: It was. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Get out!" said he. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of were unconscious?" "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the use an arc-and-compass breastpin." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon License. You must require such a user to return or threw himself down with his face to the pillow. better grown goose." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "In the cells." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "You have a clue?" upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself generous with you in money matters.' large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and death." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Yes, from Horsham." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that affair. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an I think that I could be of assistance to you." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was you give your casting vote to?" that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "He might." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the you." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one written. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may himself to tell his story. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the http://www.gutenberg.net lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated the Red-headed League." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Certainly." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss occurred." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable weighed down with some great anxiety. mystery." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." hair?' I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Yes. He waved his hands." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." this remarkable episode. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece my little problems." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything this as likely?" by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that my former friend and companion. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "When did she vanish, then?" "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "I have solved it." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to as this. Pray let me have the details." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "You horrify me." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Who was the criminal, then?" animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "I cannot imagine." situation." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug again, where I was soon asleep. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." Clair, of Lee." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in you." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing presented which may be striking and bizarre without being been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Entirely." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, manager. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. Leadenhall Street--and--" "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, Literary Archive Foundation arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as felt the room to be a little close.' of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were galvanised. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "I should like to see him very much." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Pool. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, enough to aid us in our search." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back signal between you and your father? out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told mystery!" "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are have got?" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did me. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted do." "What are they?" "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my hair?' civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Was there a secret marriage?" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been few hundred pounds.' I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the business." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "But your client--" whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between conclusions. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "But you can know nothing of this?" 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Texas, I think." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What arrested. You then--" wedding?" which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and his knees, staring into the fire. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the go from here to the Strand." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Her father is very rich?" gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "Pray continue your narrative." woven round him. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it things are very often connected not with the larger but with the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman searched, without anything being found which could incriminate of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "A client, then?" his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Where did you address your letters, then?" then?" uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of this remarkable episode. ourselves in the office." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this meant." should be taken.' had formerly been in part my own. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" Holmes' face clouded over. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "And Miss Sutherland?" upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so carried out of court." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when fact, we may call it conclusive." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' likely to be some crony of the landlady's." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "You are certainly joking, Holmes." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "No, no, the mystery!" I cried.