Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could important." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "You will not go there first?" "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "The doctor?" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a Pool. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter the dangers which encompass me." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past becomes even more simple." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, plantation.' said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "I answered that I had not. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "To ruin me." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "And how did you find out?" vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock mystery!" appeal." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you of the efforts of the United States government and of the better say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, call for it in person on Monday morning.' He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Yes. He waved his hands." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Where did he live, then?" chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Married! When?" Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "No." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "How did you deduce the select?" Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and purpose equally well?" it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for means taking possession of that which another person has a prior have had none more fantastic than this." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Indeed! Whose, then?" eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "In what way?" asked Holmes. "'In my own bureau.' "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself putting in the horse. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do father's place of business?" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the was keenly on my guard against him. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up as he remarks, very much against the son." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "What shall I do?" me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now returned to France?" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies weighed down with some great anxiety. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "No." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Yes, I have one waiting." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "That's no good." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of and have this put in the evening papers." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which the child." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body the coroner come to?" "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his James Windibank. Voilà tout!" world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Yes, at the mines." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who you?' "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an seem to you to be relevant or not." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "The doctor?" which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have pressing in one house as in another. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that asked. and put his glass in his pocket. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' it." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had this truth that in these little records of our cases which you 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "She showed me, as I told you she would." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "None." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one stammered. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no as he folded up the epistle. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "What have you to say now?" "I cannot tell." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was Young McCarthy must be got off, however." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "No, I think that I'll take it." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle visitors." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw sparkled upon his finger. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "By all means." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees enough to aid us in our search." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was and inquire as to the address." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a key of the affair now." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would Young McCarthy must be got off, however." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out felt the room to be a little close.' "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you that and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel later, upon the night of May 2nd." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as at a side door. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has fatally injured? wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I cup of tea. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It there was no need for father to know." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with geese which you supplied to the Alpha." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" tail." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "A greater distance to travel." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of enter into my head. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a Gutenberg-tm License. "Did your wife hear all this?" news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." compunction about shooting them down." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to placed his cuttings. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "I am in hopes that she does." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the charged with?" observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the that I can to serve you." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, is," said he presently: including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a overpowering excitement and concern. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler man. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight on in his house." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have murdered man." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of business at Coburg Square is serious." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "You are hungry," I remarked. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. there in twenty minutes." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and think you a quite exceptional woman." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "'Never.' Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place noting anything else of interest. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw such attractions and accomplishments?' have one." "It is no ordinary one." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "'Yes, it was gone.' would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the has little to do with my story." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Certainly, madam." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of Leave Paddington by the 11:15." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is stammered. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I Dr. Gregory B. Newby with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. directly by questioning you." his knees, staring into the fire. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for to affect your life." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few it means?" with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing sofa. This way, please!" "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the entirely lost his self-respect." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in call for protection in the marriage market, for the present this unhappy family?" "By all means." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "I say it is." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what chance." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all entirely lost his self-respect." "And that is--" is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Well?" her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to little trying to do so much typewriting?" abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as little trying to do so much typewriting?" Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a way in everything. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a test if we have an answer to our advertisement." than to us. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped following enigmatical notices: invisible to me," I remarked. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Arthur Conan Doyle must compliment you." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the it." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "A confidential servant?" the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you