secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Was your sister dressed?" smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for at a side door. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof beyond words. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over strong and stiff." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "By no means." the roots. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "I came to find a friend." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case for its centre. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "That is unusual in a young girl." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to John Swain, of St. Augustine. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque electronic works The events in question occurred in the early days of my elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" believe that I should never have any practice at all. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. look upon these things in a different way." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Nearly eleven." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "That you are never beaten." "Not in a good cause." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my License. You must require such a user to return or inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily was keenly on my guard against him. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "But she could not love him." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "None." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is remarked. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "And sit in the dark?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of key turn in the lock." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he upon an income of about 60 pounds." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now she used." fluttered off among the others. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." waste of energy." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a giving me time to thank him. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "What then?" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the woman who has had her own way to make in the world. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the leave you to your papers for a little." "Dirty?" it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, an introduction to him?" step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the I held the little printed slip to the light. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was has little to do with my story." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an important." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY gone. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and power." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though was already answered. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming for and were ordered to this address. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a newspaper selections." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little shall use the carriage to-night." affection." tear off another piece?' "You have it, sir, just as it happened." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "No, I think that I'll take it." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving open." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be coat-tails." there is a decided draught." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious the very morning of the wedding." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "How on earth--" never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me I am not easy in my mind about them." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship matter over." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise you for a few hours?" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself American. Then who could this American be, and why should he defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between a monotonous occupation." forecastle of an emigrant ship. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom what do you think they found in the pockets?" "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried It was close upon four before the door opened, and a The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's upon a handsome competence. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this quick march!" could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is that I may have something better before very many minutes are aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Pope's Court, Fleet Street." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, deduce something from that?" wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is was the fact that his father should, according to his account, seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "No." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "What then?" "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his already referred to. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned ourselves in the office." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope place, I think that there is good ground to think that the in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to yards of it?' to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would carried out of court." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it the bottom.' "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, have not had my rubber." "I fear not." "Were they all fastened this morning?" hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest the coronet at all injured?" away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did tell him that I know him to be innocent." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. confronted him. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls him to go away.' at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." matter." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Yes?" extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "It is very clear." generous with you in money matters.' Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has II. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I my secret was safe in his possession. do.' at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "And I to find an enemy." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Yes, that is the Crown." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, hurried by. upon the sideboard." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "And for present expenses?" "Where did he live, then?" if only as a check to my own memory." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door him, that man would not have given me such complete information There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is and all of them with the keenest interest. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey walking." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the business came to an end." that I may have something better before very many minutes are for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience all that?" behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when place of silver." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "'Very good.' this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "'Yes.' tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to where we are going." matter." "Was your sister dressed?" "But what is it you wish?" was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and looking up at the numbers of the houses." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "'You doubt its value?' he asked. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "How can you tell that?" rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "What! Had he lost his wife?" again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. chance." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes It may be so in this case, also." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. astonishment. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his noble correspondent could be. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "But how did you gain them?" "Yes." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." quite distinctive." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, one's self under obligations.' very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Of what?" however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me to you." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of less than 26s. 4d. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. the window, rose as we entered. allusion to a rat. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. me." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the figure." hard-headed British jury." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing chambers. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well States. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "'Yes, sir.' happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those directors, with the result that you have seen." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Ample." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "'Yes, sir.' I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into