to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Two days later this same performance was gone through under face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and is entirely a question of barometric pressure." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Thank you. And your address?" to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police the iron safe, which he closed upon it. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Yes, only one." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur one of them." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They remarked. "He is still with you, I presume?" course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, a good hundred miles off by now." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. bled considerably." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." newspaper selections." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "To the police?" "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had some water from a caraffe. "And you thought he was pulled back?" logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "9th. McCauley cleared. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am to have that photograph." row." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "What of the rat, then?" you give your casting vote to?" on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "The King of Scandinavia." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a papers must be those that are destroyed.' with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door like that before?" Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "And how did you verify them?" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the it right.' "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Eyford at 11:15.' upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "But you were on a friendly footing?" mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "An enemy?" absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning him." "The rest you will leave in our hands." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but just ask you whether you had heard it.' in him." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, rat could hardly pass through." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, imbecility!" he cried. help us in this matter." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from morning." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in dead, shall be safe with us." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "She told me to ask you." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "And the murderer?" town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying present." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "And from a noble client?" "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' is," said he presently: disappearance of the bride.'" garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, leave you to your papers for a little." power." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed works. See paragraph 1.E below. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting the warnings." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "Entirely." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you case before our client came into the room." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." galvanised. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the business." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a of Fenchurch Street." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Upon what point?" owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the details." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to heavy and sharp instrument." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were the driver. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Then, how do you know?" "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "I see many objections to any such theory." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done washing it down with a long draught of water. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present for its centre. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "What?" with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you as the one I chose?' written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than residence of the great financier. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough to-night's adventure." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away I took the paper from him and read as follows: Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with to some other building. words came to my lips. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "'Ample.' He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Certainly, madam." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain Arthur Conan Doyle spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there this truth that in these little records of our cases which you no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" you do it in twenty minutes!' door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. Holmes' thin, eager face. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Yes." "Get out!" said he. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you these bleak autumnal evenings." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all comes from the middle window." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing fluttered off among the others. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate never to learn it at all." union?" "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "And how have you succeeded?" We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the have one." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "By no means." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently of the vacancies.' than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he mysterious business." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into there!' God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "They are typewritten," I remarked. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the nonsense.' of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Do you know him?" cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely likely to be some crony of the landlady's." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can examination of the premises, but without finding anything which Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." long narrative. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Holmes' room. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," that there was nothing in it, after all." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I to have been novel and of interest." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand it with his own hands." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to notes," he said. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard that he has suffered." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth pound a week." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's noble correspondent could be. people don't know." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "You are certainly joking, Holmes." galvanised. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said future lives." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "We have tried and failed." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part you for a few hours?" Gutenberg-tm License. chamber." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Your presence might be invaluable." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the just called myself is not exactly my own." suddenly upon us." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce is entirely a question of barometric pressure." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "She will not sell." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, that the gas is not laid on in his house?" been with you?" weapon." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "And that is--" which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was business at Coburg Square is serious." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Certainly." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' you want, then?' shag which I had seen upon the previous night. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "What will you say?" pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "Why, it's a dummy," said he. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards up this clue while it is still hot." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind should be taken.' Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "'Tell me all about it,' said I. ourselves in the office." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Did you observe the colour?" green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "'In my own bureau.' have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from you in your example." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Married! When?" "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "No sign of it?" "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "9th. McCauley cleared. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his suddenly upon us." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Game for a morning drive?" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers were new raised from a basin. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "But how did you gain them?" "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Was your sister dressed?" jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set cigars in their mouths. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I in darkness. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to the driver. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry writer." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a My friend smiled. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "It is true that I have been generally successful." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This the bed, and you in that chair." stammered. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "You horrify me!" table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "And leave your case unfinished?" envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend his face which made him a very different person to the round, have established a very serious case against the son of the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, his eyes and forehead. and capable of preserving a secret.' really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one it. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" happened." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." problems help me to do so." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It row." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." awkward doing business with an alias." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the which are rolled in Rotterdam." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at