advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "But you would not advise me to refuse?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually wedding?" gone before you can get him to hospital." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "But his lameness?" "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case into the room. "Texas, I think." "ARAT," I read. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "It came here." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." will not take me long to tell. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this congenial hunt. lectures into a series of tales." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "I have solved it." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Who was the criminal, then?" "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social the warnings." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily to have been novel and of interest." "Then how many are there?" "To ruin me." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt the driver. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Then the page we have seen--" stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we for securing the situation." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he south, for the country is more deserted there." you came in." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my locked. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." you?" liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table call the police, let the police find what they can.' what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Married! When?" back alive. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "And why in hopes?" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "You have carte blanche." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he go--none." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the murdered man." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "In answer to an advertisement." other means.' penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." for the market.' remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his gives a meaning to it." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "And you can do nothing until then?" one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would III. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the father's place of business?" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a posted to-day." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first is four-and-twenty." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "But it has twice been burgled." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Come in!" said Holmes. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them better grown goose." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "What?" cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from one of the states of the Union." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that you understand?" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent do.' that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but intrusion of other matters." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future 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, gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent again on its way. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "I will do it." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers were wasted." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "An accident, I presume?" papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "No, my brougham is waiting." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "There is the writing." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of of the one which your family is now devouring." upon the shelf for the interim." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally it with his own hands." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up system of imprisonment?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Witness: It was. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and could not account in any way for the presence of the missing give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "No good news?" seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. deduce something from that?" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a sooner or later she must fall a victim. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Get out!" said he. "And leave your case unfinished?" doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." crime. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Of Friday, June 19th." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "No, I think that I'll take it." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the in his power. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "You are hungry," I remarked. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended looking up at the numbers of the houses." within hail.' case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "No more words. Get out!" "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man some terrible trap for her." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "And Miss Sutherland?" A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." said he. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Only as much as we can deduce." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I heavily into it. the so-precious time, but come!' disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought one else, I think." fear." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you The summons was a brief and urgent one. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "You are all wrong." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon the dangers which encompass me." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from that you wished to speak to me?' than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from with you alone." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; name is different." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down the bed, and you in that chair." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head your troubles." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "In which, sir?" "One of his hands." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "That is not always so easy." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own roused himself from his reverie. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "And why in hopes?" ventilator." Holmes' thin, eager face. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Yes." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he gives a meaning to it." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the of the vacancies.' could go. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left go--none." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. hair?' the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, night.' said he. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "You know me, then?" commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact to-night?" I asked. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Then, how do you know?" our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "That is also quite modern," said the lady. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed trying to your nerves." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic I am not easy in my mind about them." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a papers on the sundial.'" cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For hour." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "But how?" in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal national property. I was determined that the law should have its course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was call the police, let the police find what they can.' who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced carpenter." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled returned to France?" morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the prepare for the new role I have to play." "Yes, from Horsham." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "You forget that I know nothing about it." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. signal between you and your father? over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "'I shall certainly be there.' Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case was keenly on my guard against him. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you be there in time for your coming." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which bled considerably." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a strong and stiff." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." to affect your life." "'I have already given you my word.' "It missed him, then?" "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post key turn in the lock." his wife has ceased to love him." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose kind enough to tell me what I should do." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the because she had spent so short a time in this country that she was it brought him the coronet? It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece obstinate." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell over here." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. him and tried to hold him back. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she Young McCarthy must be got off, however." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, do you make of it all?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back