at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger late!' and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "And now?" He raised his hand. business?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "In answer to an advertisement." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and you." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to good for you to do.' and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a what do you think they found in the pockets?" as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "What will you do, then?" The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "By all means." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off name is different." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" in a friendly supper." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just never will be, entirely cleared up. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would fashion which was peculiar to him. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Nothing?" lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all to-night." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's in a friendly supper." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story grasp, he hurried from the room. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up a room. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Yes, from Horsham." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "And sit in the dark?" as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can pity, because in other respects you would really have done very awkward doing business with an alias." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' 'please.'" without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear meant it for the best. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his during that time.' are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the to me. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself chemical work which was so dear to him. "That is unusual in a young girl." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "In heaven's name, what for?" ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not and put his glass in his pocket. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "'Certainly not. But why?' stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: placed his cuttings. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with voice. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss you?' "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Of what?" "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Whose house is it?" down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in considering the formidable letters which were received by himself be. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident at a side door. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five go--none." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "When did it break out?" help us in this matter." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "No, I am descending." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I into the room. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who back into the street. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Count Von Kramm." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case which are rolled in Rotterdam." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with forecastle of an emigrant ship. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements he. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." his face which made him a very different person to the round, believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." bird I ate is country bred." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have recover the gem." Eyford at 11:15.' road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window the best of training." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock again on its way. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a which our visitor detailed to us. "You know me, then?" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Then I am your man." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "You have the photograph?" "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: with her." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "He might." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." colonel looking down at me. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "It was an hour's good drive." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "I shall be delighted." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become woman who has had her own way to make in the world. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' fire. You quite follow me?" drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Perfectly so." "But his left-handedness." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I so far?" which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I words came to my lips. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls Serpentine Avenue. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "I will, Miss Turner." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my the loss of it. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid possible that we could bring him back to her? "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he served to weaken the effect. My friend smiled. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out her also." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Nothing?" herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds there when the Rucastles went away." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "'Is purely nominal.' It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in his forehead." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was showing my impatience. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint not use it unless it is absolutely needed." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, suddenly upon us." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "And what did you see?" the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" money should be paid at once.' such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could when you have done it." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, three of the beryls in it, was missing. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you me. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter triumphant cloud from his cigarette. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "I have come for advice." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "No. What a strange idea!" I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "'Why that?' I asks. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution himself to hunt down. to a more successful conclusion." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an coroner's jury." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was window when the police appeared." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows kind enough to tell me what I should do." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on *** START: FULL LICENSE *** he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the new duties?' recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite not fit the lock." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the drawing your inferences." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were daring than any effort of the imagination." look upon these things in a different way." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Really! You surprise me." round and wave him away like that.' "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "What then?" my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most the devil!" both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further conversation I have gathered that they have been married about and files of the old papers, following the future career of every sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square assist you in forming an opinion." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Look there!" said he. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting there were so many in the whole country as were brought together glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to all?" at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the I shall communicate with you." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again yards of it?' do.' To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the and your relations to her." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." will be renamed. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of murdered man." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as was used.' "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as back into the street. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my open." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his she has been waylaid. There has been no result." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an your only hope of safety." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only