I think that I could be of assistance to you." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "And help." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a writers could invent nothing more crude." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "How do you know, then?" "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait bird of prey. criminal. We have already had experience of such." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his said I. individual and becomes the badge of a society." that I can to serve you." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his pierced for earrings?" "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "What will you say?" "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "I was sure that I might rely on you." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the help us in this matter." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "And why?" self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing coroner's jury." "And now?" I asked. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the article?" companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so side. details." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "And I say east," said my patient. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this unprofitable." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had photograph a cabinet?" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "And why?" There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "My last client of the sort was a king." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a depend upon my doing so.' unclasping of his long thin hands. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and business in the City. She little knew what. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "What will you do, then?" "But to whom?" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what annoyance, but no jest. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "This photograph!" "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the chance." do.' 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying companion imperturbably. prison!" jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "And how in the world did you find them?" "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. will he say when he returns?" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do without a word or a look. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in to a light-house. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of look dissatisfied." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "My dear Holmes!" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows heavy and sharp instrument." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three The police have openly confessed that they can at present make near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of gone. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is During two years I have had three consultations and one small "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "How did you deduce the select?" God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the better grown goose." "And who is her maid?" "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged and wait." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were I shall continue with my miserable story. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "'Very good.' absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely maid will bring up your coffee." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a instituted." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "'You doubt its value?' he asked. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, must be when I saw the door open.' his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon is four-and-twenty." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, cigars in the box." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey conversation I have gathered that they have been married about row." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "No good news?" least a most suspicious remark." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "'What do you call purely nominal?' to tell." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Yes, sir." straighten it?" Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "'You cannot say what it was?' is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you lost nothing by them." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster have one." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup copied or distributed: unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "My photograph." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the companion quietly. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "I was afraid that you were engaged." "And for present expenses?" keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we infinite languor in his face. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But legal crime." "How are you getting on?" any." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, once more for Briony Lodge. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I the devil!" glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "You have a clue?" electronic works themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" envelope. off." upon the white wrist. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he politicians who had been sent down from the North. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and own family. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "What!" he roared. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was my secret was safe in his possession. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be sit on the left-hand side of the driver." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the throat." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. my room." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure to talk it over. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland awaited us upon the table. the morning and make my own way in the world.' have got?" the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was to go into your room and bar your shutters?" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand his forehead." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was Have you good authority for what you say?" him and tried to hold him back. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "My stepfather's business papers." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' danger is over." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing in my life." "I cannot imagine." London for the present?" asked. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour started for the Temple to see my husband. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke maid will bring up your coffee." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Yes, only one." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third disappearance of the bride.'" "Imitated." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness invisible to me," I remarked. into the bag, and made for the door. "Only as much as we can deduce." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably call you and give you the chance." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be you in your example." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the eat it." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here to-night?" I asked. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself said I. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and papers diligently of late, have you not?" "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from second." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for is a common subject for conversation. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a assist you in forming an opinion." "Perhaps we may make them less so." wedding?" "Never." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. envelope. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon that there was nothing in it, after all." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out I am not easy in my mind about them." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Look there!" said he. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen,