after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Was there a secret marriage?" "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something read it out to me." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that was keenly on my guard against him. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "I will not look." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I characteristics, but those are the more obvious." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Only as much as we can deduce." such person." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" instincts rose up against that laugh. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than morning." have accepted such a situation. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, bachelor.' bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been is entirely a question of barometric pressure." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He overpowering excitement and concern. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "In answer to an advertisement." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De to have been novel and of interest." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most within hail.' used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is singular points about the case. What did the police think of the thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "The knees of his trousers." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from plantation.' little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "No. What a strange idea!" "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed where she found matters as described by the last witness. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Seven!" I answered. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "I see no marks." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is floor. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "No more words. Get out!" "No?" Lee, in the county of Kent." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Where to?" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until dead, shall be safe with us." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she that you can jump it.' The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Imitated." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "What do you mean?" "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert security.' did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "What I expected to see." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered gbnewby@pglaf.org Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his peculiar to him. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" vague figure huddled up in the darkness. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend row." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "My dear Holmes!" story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I disappearance of these gems?" made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high to that open window." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "9th. McCauley cleared. the window, rose as we entered. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "I shall be delighted." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. fait accompli?" "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with it." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You of note-paper. It read in this fashion: America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the interested in these little problems, and since you are good never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' tassel actually lying upon the pillow. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime most important business. It is probable that he will be away all tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us father's young wife. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; man. "But how?" was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never me upon any point which I do not make clear." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "'Is 4 pounds a week.' you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to a little more before I quite committed myself. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and feature." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or have not had my rubber." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "How did that help you?" again before evening." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Oh, fresh and glossy." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon sentimental considerations in the background which would induce story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "But to whom?" colour had been driven from his face. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds noble correspondent could be. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, his eyes and forehead. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Stoke Moran?" said he. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a beg that you will break it off." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "I should be immensely obliged to you." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Ten will be early enough." hurried away. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "You have compromised yourself seriously." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet advice." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such round and wave him away like that.' have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. States. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able not, dad?" she asked. back to my heart. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is were new raised from a basin. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read presume?" "Not him." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no Count Von Kramm." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Yes, there are nearly always some there." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. Street. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the disappearance of the bride.'" "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "I have come for advice." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low status with the IRS. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to house for five minutes.' disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change Street. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one distance from the station, and there we found the young lady some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, enter Dr. Roylott's room." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged breakfast?" "So I heard. You have him here?" one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "That is it on the dressing-table." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed had this final quarrel? held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so dates and names. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose despair." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "I cannot say that I have." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, been with you?" with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the to miss it." gone. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with third from London." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "And Miss Sutherland?" miles off. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we best detective that ever lived. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still foot. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of over with notes and figures. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." the roots. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our spark where all is dark to me." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter your most interesting statement." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by McCarthy." that there was nothing in it, after all." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Have you it here?" desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" emerged. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Can I be of assistance?" manager. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Did he not advertise?" great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand learned something! Where are the gems?" agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have to-night's adventure." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George bed dies. Does not that strike you?" warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty what I may call a really hard day's work." "What can it mean?" I gasped. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a matters immensely." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Nothing?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for right! Sit down and let us talk it over." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after chambers. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "I see no marks." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which happened." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it yourselves in at night?" "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if guilty parties." opened the door, and slipped through. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Yes, at the mines." it." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Not I." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence call for protection in the marriage market, for the present jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "'Yes, I promise.' man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter.