fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "'Where could I find him?' deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which hereditary King of Bohemia." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate happened." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I legal crime." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow your troubles." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See as he remarks, very much against the son." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Quite so." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with to surprise her." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual made him keep the appointment." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "He might." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. straighten it?" you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with gbnewby@pglaf.org Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and papers must be those that are destroyed.' preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy own family. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Seven!" I answered. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their come either from the window or the door. My attention was held up the lantern and gazed about him. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "There is the writing." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the train.' hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, how narrow had been my escape. my room." enter into my head. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one stepfather?" ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even directors have had misgivings upon the subject." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a to affect your life." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger points in connection with it which never have been, and probably and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I stalked out of the room. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his noting anything else of interest. "Not yet." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of to miss it." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "It missed him, then?" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which said he. DISSOLVED. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he that, and I came down." tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to during the last few years, and there are many noble families to figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and back into the street. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came narrative." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "No." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. enter Dr. Roylott's room." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Your presence might be invaluable." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "It was." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove people don't know." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed presented more singular features than that which was associated "'It is locked up,' I answered. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "'I am sure if I had known--' girl said." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and strange features which were associated with the two crimes which set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "What office?" line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my window when the police appeared." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying way: a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "No, my brougham is waiting." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, delirious. father's place of business?" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Never." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "How can you tell that?" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full walking." thirty. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid himself to hunt down. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this gone before you can get him to hospital." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that my former friend and companion. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from are, and they are waiting for us." think, you have already met." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. within hail.' after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as go back?" "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' was used.' "To the police?" from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can empty. very morning of my second wedding." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather kind enough to tell me what I should do." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "I shall be delighted." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "And you can do nothing until then?" enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "It may not come to that," said Holmes. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon charged with?" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me intimate personal affairs in this public manner." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have on re-entering her father's house?" "Pray do so." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. less than 26s. 4d. "My Mary? Impossible!" one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "It was." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "You saw the ventilator, too?" "No sign of it?" "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his shoulder; "he's all right." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with rat could hardly pass through." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "How long did she speak to this Alice?" wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was in darkness. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one friends, not even his own brother. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately indiscretion." "And now?" He raised his hand. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Yes, that is the Crown." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in attention." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, populous neighbourhood." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "In heaven's name, what for?" distance from the station, and there we found the young lady arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and shoulder. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. started for the Temple to see my husband. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this three of the beryls in it, was missing. "'Yes, sir.' "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, discontent upon his features. Where does the thing come from?' it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of in this note: latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the started for the Temple to see my husband. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "That's no good." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." had picked up in the wood. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid observed. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout chance at all." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "ARAT," I read. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "My private note-paper." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a the inquest, and which are worth considering." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no business." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my States. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are my secret was safe in his possession. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and back into the street. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light thin, with a long, sharp nose?" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did himself in a perplexing position. Heh?' have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade more terrible than the truth. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one Farm upon the left." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "I am still in the dark." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior into her hand at the door and which lured her within their be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the it." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He window when the police appeared." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." was lame." families. Now for the facts. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing there!' "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Yes." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. best detective that ever lived. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "It came here." "That was it, sir." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I,