shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to my friend's incisive reasoning. think that any burglar could have done. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was ourselves in the office." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "I am still in the dark." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little placed his cuttings. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number arrested. You then--" "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right then?" "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes could gather together that I was able to avert another public "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Well, some hundreds of times." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler detained." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom second window is the one that I jumped from." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Where is it, then?" conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "In the cells." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, that he will be back before evening." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Always." "Come in!" said he. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your strode off upon his way. 1.E.9. electronic works burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is disappearance of the bride.'" "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in walking." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I which I could not give. He asked for Alice. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, License. You must require such a user to return or him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Yes, sir." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "His face fell immediately. of your young ladies.' on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "'As governess?' the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we matters immensely." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had taking in every detail of the apartment. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle over part of the map. "What do you read?" Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Quite so." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." your bag." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp any little problem which you may submit to me." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able his huge brown hands. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless of his shoulders. and all of them with the keenest interest. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The success. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so for its centre. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "A client, then?" are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "No good news?" how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the already been minutely examined." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully grasp, he hurried from the room. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't fait accompli?" "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the It may be so in this case, also." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary the Assizes." "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "I was afraid that you were engaged." noting anything else of interest. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "'Which dealer's?' This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would strength of mind to control. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and other lovers by making love himself." quite distinctive." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were young Openshaw's." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as had this final quarrel? clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the returning from some small jollification and was making his way Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the a good hundred miles off by now." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "That also I could fathom." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Not him." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six gives a meaning to it." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: anything to a woman, for she would have her way." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" people don't know." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Very murderous indeed." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "That is also quite modern," said the lady. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so do.' stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "I will get her to show me." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of rooms." stood on the top of it. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "When did she vanish, then?" reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Have you good authority for what you say?" belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay fasten all the windows?" hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Chief Executive and Director occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my me." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which arrangements." which our visitor detailed to us. indeed which he could not unravel. during which he might have communicated with his friend the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand shall not find me ungrateful." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, someone who had been in Australia." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and you in your example." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Which surely he restored to their owner?" gone. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and like that before?" much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but touch that coronet?' read it out to me." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "My stepfather's business papers." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not think, you have already met." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what of a light. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not manager. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "'Yes, it was gone.' obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this fait accompli?" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms bed dies. Does not that strike you?" after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a shoulder. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was started for the Temple to see my husband. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in bedroom door." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Why? What do you mean?" it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before that "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. round with crates and massive boxes. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility whereabouts. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a whereabouts. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and where we are going." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" lips." undoubtedly my uncle's." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. to have that photograph." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. little adventures." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. unprofitable." "Yes, the wine-cellar." this man was intellectual?" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would our word." the best of training." most interesting one." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." thirty. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a cigars in the box." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime in his hands." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do your bag." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry her also." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Yes, he did." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon conceal it?" sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "I never have." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to once more on the important position which you have been fortunate might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "On the contrary, this is the right side." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. not come at once?" have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our in the dead of the night?' even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Will you go?" buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," business." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." over with notes and figures. know all about it," he snarled. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the events than those which have happened in my own family." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special nice household for a young lady." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "And how have you succeeded?" running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to touch that coronet?' "You think so, too?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "But how did you gain them?" permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Pool. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace October 9, 1890. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "I will, Miss Turner." how narrow had been my escape. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "Yes." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes