the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "It's nothing of the kind." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency room. open." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present be. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by brandy and water within his reach. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "I will, Miss Turner." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "And how?" correct than the official force." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was just ask you whether you had heard it.' unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small a little more before I quite committed myself. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." but preventing her from injuring another. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, one which it was hard to resist. "'There is a drive, then?' respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' information in his hands the value of which he did not himself Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "What! Had he lost his wife?" States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a opened the door, and slipped through. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "None." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "He said too much." electronic works Does that suggest anything?" moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in once more to my work. south, for the country is more deserted there." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Yes." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. Clair, of Lee." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "But how?" Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert waste of energy." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "That was it, sir." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact could gather together that I was able to avert another public his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "That is easily got." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a your co-operation." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." you?" confronted him. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me the bed, and you in that chair." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical Holmes. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will in the port of London." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the both be extremely obliged.' get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "And the cigar-holder?" "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of any little problem which you may submit to me." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of there." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "A call for help, you thought?" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there gone. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Pray do so." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right followed. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men it? Did I buy the geese off you?" public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Was he the only applicant?" "What I expected to see." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the which it had come upon my father." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "About a month then." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her a very grave face. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Eh? What was that?" "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." fear." me." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to with you alone." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building go back?" He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by bachelor.' burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Why serious?" so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an charge against him will break down." wedding?" again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, at my remark. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a introspective fashion. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "I am still in the dark." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Precisely." "And what did you see?" her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which the address that was given us in the advertisement. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it completely overtopped every other consideration that we both scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel than was visible to me." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Yes." me upon any point which I do not make clear." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable 1.E.9. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real is," said he presently: the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into that threaten you." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the closing the door. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a Holmes' face clouded over. spare." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "No, my brougham is waiting." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. really the only notable feature about the thing." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who shoulder; "he's all right." "Why serious?" the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he photograph?" he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, in his power. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." call the police, let the police find what they can.' himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery you, my dear young lady?' "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, fish-monger and a tide-waiter." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished business at Coburg Square is serious." outside." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is went to the Alpha were town bred." "Yes." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not awaited us upon the table. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to very morning of my second wedding." that, and I came down." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very it." less than 26s. 4d. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does corner of the building. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "And on what day did he meet his death?" "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "You did not overhear what they said?" "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a past. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell You can understand that this register and diary may implicate room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose seen the man in the road." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the this unhappy family?" have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "I came to find a friend." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. and the colonel ushered me in. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of for and were ordered to this address. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet speckled band?" hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "But how will you look?" transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a o'clock is it?" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more sooner or later she must fall a victim. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass little trying to do so much typewriting?" we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a breakfast and whispered something to her husband. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were handed it to him. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as Edgeware Road. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "No, my brougham is waiting." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about had a long day." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He six. Come in!" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "No." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his McCarthy's innocence. "She will not sell." This is what he says: money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. eavesdroppers?' size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. in his power. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "'There is a drive, then?' are windows in it, of course?" found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "You have compromised yourself seriously." photograph a cabinet?" exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter case-book, which he consulted. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "What?" "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." happened." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. is a common subject for conversation. mystery." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "And that is--" "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "You know me, then?" "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out papers on the sundial.'" laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of himself in a perplexing position. Countess of Morcar's?" here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? where she found matters as described by the last witness. your co-operation." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective wall." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss the station." "10th. John Swain cleared. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It