bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the said I. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I returning from some small jollification and was making his way and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed cause to be." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have him nearly every evening." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a one which it was hard to resist. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of woman." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more quickly through a disagreeable task. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "We were both in the photograph." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important take the flies, but not before." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "The rest you will leave in our hands." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to deduce something from that?" death." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was Pool. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and before, for it was considerably after midnight. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Why serious?" what is your own theory as to what took place?" Doctor, of the paper and the date." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave emerged. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Where to?" "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate help us in this matter." relief. which our visitor detailed to us. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "You horrify me!" 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "What then?" here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Yes." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, do.' and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "My dear Holmes!" "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I the coronet in his hand?" he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over plantation.' "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's take the flies, but not before." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this imbecility!" he cried. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "And how did you verify them?" hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless became a certainty. been deceived." "What then?" on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the particular state visit http://pglaf.org insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "It is possible." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard tightly behind him. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "But of what society?" It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the already been minutely examined." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Was he the only applicant?" a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Seven!" I answered. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, your only hope of safety." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "But it has twice been burgled." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "No legal papers or certificates?" his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "By train from Waterloo." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "You were travelling in the States?" "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the without a word or a look. the coronet in his hands?" beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil call for protection in the marriage market, for the present agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "And did you observe any change in her then?" air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the introspective fashion. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "I cannot say that I have." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet out of this horrible affair." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." which it had come upon my father." wedding?" while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the of Fenchurch Street." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very written. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She is worth.' and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is place of silver." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he again before evening." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout sofa. This way, please!" "Dr. Becher's." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "His face fell immediately. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into the coronet at all injured?" equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "You are all wrong." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the of them has the shutters up.' days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that used to be." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "I came to find a friend." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. had a long day." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that ways of our fellow-men." little trying to do so much typewriting?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until careless servant girl?" "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all him." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "At the wedding breakfast." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have this unhappy family?" "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned his face which made him a very different person to the round, quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "But how will you look?" at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," had a long day." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project and have this put in the evening papers." at home. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from the night.' could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first said I. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, helping a boy to put up the shutters. me. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the murdered man." ceremony." "I say that I have solved it." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Oh, yes, easily." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, over with notes and figures. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set all-comprehensive glances. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "No." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "That's no good." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly absorbing." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "From his hat?" exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I McCarthy." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "You have the photograph?" immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect in this note: arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "You horrify me." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "My dear Holmes!" it means?" us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the there were one or two details which were new to me. But the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and you." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock photograph a cabinet?" time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat on in his house." to a more successful conclusion." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to within hail.' disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "A confidential servant?" good-night and bustled off upon her way. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office wedding?" better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "She told me to ask you." always that they were such commands as a lady might with Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. him to go away.' "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. to change my dress. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I with you alone." "It must be recovered." telegram would bring me down to your help." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your never to learn it at all." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he whatever might befall. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. His smile broadened. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little new acquaintance to Baker Street. "No?" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "No?" change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally eavesdroppers?' disappearance of these gems?" that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which to-morrow." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "'There is a drive, then?' went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until was shining brightly. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the events, Mr. Windibank!" skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to the night.' "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Where did he live, then?" from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and do.' vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "And you thought he was pulled back?" and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "To an English lawyer named Norton." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom light and attacked it." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my yourselves in at night?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the and laid it on the table. copied or distributed: happened." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." them present such singular features as the strange train of which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this as this. Pray let me have the details." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of congratulate you again." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little and glanced through. fatally injured? am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with you." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Tired-looking or fresh?" to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who highroad, where all traces were lost. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper locked." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on