"Precisely." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the and the colonel ushered me in. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both entirely devoid of interest." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: the side-table." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." keep the flames under. strength in the others." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" my special province." best detective that ever lived. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off becomes even more simple." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your fat-encircled eyes. indeed which he could not unravel. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Dr. Becher's." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known easy-going way." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "No." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little there when the Rucastles went away." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Nor running a chance of arrest?" solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered to tackle the facts." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and swore that no one else had been in the front room during the which was all perfectly true. "We were both in the photograph." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "'Ample.' "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. skylight. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for this as likely?" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "That is it on the dressing-table." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held crowd. tell him that I know him to be innocent." not as remarkable as your advertisement." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor which it had come upon my father." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Why serious?" thirty. "Were they all fastened this morning?" visitors." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign when you have done it." fluttered off among the others. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for had no one to advise her at such a crisis." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "And who is her maid?" "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Yesterday." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went beyond words. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "It was an hour's good drive." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to sneer upon his pale face. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Did you become engaged then?" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "I cannot as yet see any connection." that I can to serve you." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I tell me that you intended to go into harness." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I behind me. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "Entirely." in my life." morning." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself bedroom door." unprecedented a position." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the door?" and laid it on the table. horse could go." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "And did you observe any change in her then?" Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has strength of mind to control. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "'Yes, it was gone.' "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "'Certainly not.' ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm writer." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it me." habit of advancing money.' Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you maid will bring up your coffee." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "But his lameness?" "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which go--none." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the redistribution. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" business came to an end." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, matter over." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "It is a murder, then?" enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them the tragedy. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "'As governess?' have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, nothing with him." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "We were both in the photograph." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read despair." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "We must sit without light. He would see it through the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the was once confined in the cab my mission was practically the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "In answer to an advertisement." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A meant it for the best. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this his huge brown hands. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Absolutely none." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the the salesman. seen the man in the road." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any where she found matters as described by the last witness. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless recover the gem." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "How do you know, then?" "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal plantation.' nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace where we are going." "The knees of his trousers." could go. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a people in all walks of life. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "I am still in the dark." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was again, where I was soon asleep. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good ran thus: would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could His name is Francis Prosper." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "It is no ordinary one." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always experiences." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the married her." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, this Miss Turner." "Yes." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Of what day?" was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a the tragedy. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the papers must be those that are destroyed.' and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who this remarkable episode. "'Then let me do so?' might help us?" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, business." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I brain must have something in it." events than those which have happened in my own family." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Why, it's a dummy," said he. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the where she found matters as described by the last witness. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "On the contrary, this is the right side." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, it." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Young McCarthy must be got off, however." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "You forget that I know nothing about it." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; point our research must commence, and we will begin it by The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "I was mad--insane." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post From what you have told me I think that it is possible that of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is that the gas is not laid on in his house?" aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "'I have heard so.' We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "Then you may be so with me." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear chair. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't sparkled upon his finger. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "My dear Holmes!" papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the What do you deduce from it?" never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" read it out to me." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, his huge brown hands. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." people in all walks of life. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about second." me. You must get home instantly and act." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly invisible to me," I remarked. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just about here speaks of his kindness to him." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Deserted you?" "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness of the vacancies.' goes." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of the tragedy. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three in the dead of the night?' Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And,