by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Yes, it was twisted." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an bedroom door." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the tightly behind him. "Yes, sir." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "My last client of the sort was a king." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "You horrify me." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. away into the river." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in habit of advancing money.' phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a arrangements." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "And your father? Did you tell him?" "So I heard. You have him here?" mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days dates and names. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your garden below. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "There are none." cause to be." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Was there a secret marriage?" shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' felt the room to be a little close.' ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Really! You surprise me." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your better in every way that they should make their position a little peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of happened." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." Gutenberg-tm License. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "What, then, did Peterson do?" drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he at a side door. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, telegram would bring me down to your help." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a suspect him." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Well, it is a possible supposition." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "How many? I don't know." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Yes." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, presume?" There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, figure." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me will take you up to see the machine.' "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still the so-precious time, but come!' "No, my brougham is waiting." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "My private note-paper." the little opening for the ventilator is." allusion to a rat. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full very old mansion. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried been." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss to have been novel and of interest." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." will be renamed. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. was it brought him the coronet? what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive conduct the inquiry." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual clang of the bell. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "The doctor?" Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the system of imprisonment?" habit of advancing money.' Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed tension within him. in. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a shaken than I had ever seen him. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the there was no need for father to know." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and I nodded again. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "I cannot imagine." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "A confidential servant?" there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this breakfast and whispered something to her husband. extraordinary contortions. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "How did he come?" "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a Doctor, of the paper and the date." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment held up the lantern and gazed about him. "It came here." "I will, Miss Turner." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came of receipt of the work. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself maid will bring up your coffee." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at tell them apart.' the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Did you become engaged then?" "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "He is still with you, I presume?" stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several points in connection with it which never have been, and probably society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "He said too much." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Pray let us have it, for all that." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the I took the paper from him and read as follows: be best to do. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across shall use the carriage to-night." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself he. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds me what he had done with the three missing stones. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Because he was handy and would come cheap." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head there were so many in the whole country as were brought together Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was burst out into a roar of laughter. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Perhaps I have." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him and effective." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. rooms." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they will he say when he returns?" made his money." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign ago." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers bears upon the case?" "And that is--" "Stoke Moran?" said he. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside nice household for a young lady." just ask you whether you had heard it.' that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "How did you trace it, then?" "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole Edgeware Road. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the she has been waylaid. There has been no result." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way narrative." morning." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Yes?" whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another derbies." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Where, then?" "I will not look." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer already referred to. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "'Never,' said I. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment all that?" between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few have I gained?" "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly look dissatisfied." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, them?" have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to him, that man would not have given me such complete information and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was of." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal were wasted." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I you do it in twenty minutes!' chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in sake, don't!" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "It is true that I have been generally successful." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which of a light. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an indeed happy." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you me." "One?" "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "No legal papers or certificates?" "Was your sister dressed?" lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the have got?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then unprofitable." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how side. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, to have been novel and of interest." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it second." bears upon the case?" determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the From what you have told me I think that it is possible that provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through whole matter to your consideration." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Pray let us have it, for all that." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a delighted to hear it," he said. of his shoulders. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. the devil!" order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "What is it?" "The landlord of the Alpha." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" criminal. We have already had experience of such." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all had formerly been in part my own. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "'What, the red-headed man?' need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' true." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you my friend's incisive reasoning. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. said I. prepare for the new role I have to play." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "But how could you guess what the motive was?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning vanished into the darkness. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "'There is a drive, then?' outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must hereditary King of Bohemia." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "She showed me, as I told you she would." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "'As governess?' that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so