rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, all that?" "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which my secret was safe in his possession. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the again." "Come in!" said he. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest jewels which you have stolen?' Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Married! When?" than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "And leave your case unfinished?" humiliation." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in you." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell the house with me." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Why? What do you mean?" charge against him will break down." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "The rest you will leave in our hands." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to at my own good fortune. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the dates and names. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Pray do so." colonel looking down at me. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's speckled band?" lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were felt the room to be a little close.' which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "'And what are they worth?' I asked. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital lamp. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely beg that you will break it off." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "I see many objections to any such theory." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "You think that he is dead?" time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "Then you may be so with me." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the had a long day." asked with his eyes open. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There served to weaken the effect. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "I cannot say that I have." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists opportunities to fix the problem. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." fasten all the windows?" as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Nothing?" attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott From what you have told me I think that it is possible that INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH detective. never will be, entirely cleared up. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Deserted you?" bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." and glanced through. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He congenial hunt. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "My dear Holmes!" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to remarked. row." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' some water from a caraffe. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely the dangers which encompass me." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his be sorry for having acted so harshly." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Which are?" suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man weighed down with some great anxiety. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "And how did you find out?" "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I chemical work which was so dear to him. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without side. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Did he not advertise?" "What have you done?" asked Holmes. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and it. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Where, then?" didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "I say it is." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be a very grave face. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "No." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled be there in time for your coming." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. come either from the window or the door. My attention was up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "But what harm can there be in that?" "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir spare." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "By no means." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some for the market.' receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so yourselves in at night?" unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. a very grave face. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "And sit in the dark?" "Absolutely?" ordinary clothes on?" "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To know that the truth is known." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "'Certainly not. But why?' on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a and have this put in the evening papers." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now was feeling which was the fattest.' means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Yes, it would be as well." husband's writing, madam." to surprise her." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "No legal papers or certificates?" 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "'Is purely nominal.' bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their with you alone." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael not fit the lock." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned to go into your room and bar your shutters?" who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve compunction about shooting them down." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' point in the dark hollow of his hand. furiously. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can Leave Paddington by the 11:15." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "It is solved." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "It is solved." "If so, much may have happened between." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on papers on the sundial.'" poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Seven!" I answered. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "'And the work?' "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow and the church but not where the lady lived." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Quite so." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Stoke Moran?" said he. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical II. "Then how many are there?" "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would said I. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" Pope's Court. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year as noiselessly as she had come. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. people in all walks of life. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "'Certainly not. But why?' her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At enter Dr. Roylott's room." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain fire. You quite follow me?" the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, discontent upon his features. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped to-night?' "It is half-past ten now." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "So it appears." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and should be so warm over such a trifle." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of But Holmes shook his head gravely. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our simple cases which are so extremely difficult." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my is," said he presently: retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' bare slabs of marble. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, character. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a correct than the official force." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his a little more before I quite committed myself. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." we went to search for him, face downward in a little Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "On your arm?" clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some