to surprise her." to-night?" I asked. spark where all is dark to me." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Where is it, then?" seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior upon the shelf for the interim." hour." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather quick march!" standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I suddenly upon us." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use seven miles from Eyford Station.' in his power. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a frequently gained my first real insight into the character of say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has chemical work which was so dear to him. there is a decided draught." behind me. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "You have the photograph?" his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining and no precautions can guard against." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the I. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave trifles." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am forbidden door. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "There are none." hands. "What then?" letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Not particularly." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Frequently." "How about poison?" mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the Sutherland?" "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small the loss of it. residence of the great financier. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the chance." to that open window." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of man. I know him from the photograph." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "If so, much may have happened between." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Seven!" I answered. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "No legal papers or certificates?" It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I not come at once?" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very at once, for I have only half an hour." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the nonsense.' three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did of receipt of the work. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Then I do not see the point." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Yes, there are nearly always some there." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some unprofitable." "But his left-handedness." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. little trying to do so much typewriting?" America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "What I expected to see." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, that?' of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to window when the police appeared." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was questioning and rather startled gaze. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, so.' "The Coroner: What do you mean? too. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Deserted you?" dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "I do." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? tassel actually lying upon the pillow. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "I am all attention, madam." photograph?" overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to relation between them, and what the object of his repeated he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people and capable of preserving a secret.' he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved of his shoulders. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "Entirely." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it be best to do. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my woman." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' interested in these little problems, and since you are good who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from the warnings." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "But his lameness?" neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself eavesdroppers?' ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "But I am all in the dark." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "'Never,' said I. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Did your wife hear all this?" and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to silent! Oh, he will be silent!' whether it answered to the description of any of their Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows have established a very serious case against the son of the expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "My dear Holmes!" "Dr. Becher's." the matter?" leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "What!" he roared. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "I am armed." "By no means." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "I don't believe it." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Yes." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "'Stolen!' he cried. nonsense.' I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not presume?" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, trying to your nerves." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could the ceiling. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. entirely devoid of interest." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case fishes. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All fasten all the windows?" moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the dear old homesteads?" most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your other, as fresh and trim as possible. hour?' "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in emerged. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One back alive. "But you have hopes?" wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we character. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what feature." III. not fit the lock." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical you?' in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and footfalls from the street. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any maiden herself was most instructive." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, night.' said he. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as unkempt, staring out at me. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study or in danger--" and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying ceremony." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by The summons was a brief and urgent one. Serpentine Avenue. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has not as remarkable as your advertisement." me have 200 pounds?' contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" delighted to hear it," he said. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would past. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "If so, much may have happened between." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly investigation." During two years I have had three consultations and one small left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled careless servant girl?" "No?" came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had I think that I could be of assistance to you." "But how will you look?" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no will be renamed. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to together. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" trying to your nerves." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of young Openshaw's." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin had a long day." digesting their breakfasts at home." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good orange pips. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I chance at all." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, himself to tell his story. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "So it appears." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and them, and came down just as you departed. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the trifles." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Yes, sir." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "When did she vanish, then?" "I do." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which I was concerned in it." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we new duties?' Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." both be extremely obliged.' doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "What! You do not mean bodies?" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of really the only notable feature about the thing." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great excitement. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, appointment with me for six o'clock?" sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others said he.