been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, colour had been driven from his face. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Well, it is a possible supposition." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "'Ten to two.' not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Witness: It was. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I thin legs towards the fire. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming call for it in person on Monday morning.' used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together out of this horrible affair." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "But how could you guess what the motive was?" the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, ran thus: severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. your sleep?' "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the question. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of suddenly upon us." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Of what?" In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. at my remark. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to the roots. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, woven round him. he. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "No good news?" chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told minor matters until to-morrow." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "How did he come?" has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, other lovers by making love himself." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural to take care of herself." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from forehead. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "But what harm can there be in that?" Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "I have seen the police." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, chill to my heart. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out business." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her lumber-room." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" present." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "The murder was done with it." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he lectures into a series of tales." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: the salesman. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot hereditary King of Bohemia." "And for present expenses?" but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "What can you not understand?" "I fear not." disturbance in my wife." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very and glanced through. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "He said that you could solve anything." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become waste of energy." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it You want to know what became of those geese?" questioning and rather startled gaze. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "No?" narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon foresight and the moral retrogression?" Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune signal between you and your father? "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." Holmes." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at vanished into the darkness. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "I am in hopes that she does." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "None." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove again, where I was soon asleep. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will who was a member of your goose club." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham direction." tear off another piece?' greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Ah, but I was recommended to you." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "What is it?" result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Precisely." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst allusion to a rat. details." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a 1.E.9. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found you give your casting vote to?" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive the bed, and you in that chair." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I never to learn it at all." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim enough to aid us in our search." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "No, distinctly professional." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder because she had spent so short a time in this country that she have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." she to prove their authenticity?" which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a your most interesting statement." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other directors have had misgivings upon the subject." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down skylight. the bed, and you in that chair." "Yes, it would be as well." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," particular state visit http://pglaf.org put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for affair. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This that you wished to speak to me?' conduct the inquiry." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or acted in my house last night?" "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of you." October 9, 1890. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "We have tried and failed." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten you." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had to that open window." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "'I am sure that I do not know.' Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "But how?" I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "I have seen the police." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking place of silver." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal congratulate you again." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Witness: It was. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back Surrey." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a she to prove their authenticity?" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it your co-operation." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "In answer to an advertisement." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, spare." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a upon a handsome competence. own family. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "'Yes.' "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." have one." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" The police have openly confessed that they can at present make vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that This is what he says: although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and were wasted." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his when your master had gone out." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Your sister is dead, then?" established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." has little to do with my story." never will be, entirely cleared up. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Where did he live, then?" located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from possible that we could bring him back to her? "Precisely so. But how--" difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Stolen." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Witness: It was. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "It came here." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with easy-going way." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "At what time?" a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & humiliation." "It surprised me." any little problem which you may submit to me." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the Doctor, of the paper and the date." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, whether it answered to the description of any of their away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting plantation.' imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. head. So long, then!" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, head. So long, then!" "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is me." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and the King without delay." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Well." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt