"'Yes, but with my back towards it.' of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable corner of the building. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions a monotonous occupation." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross gone. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and what is your own theory as to what took place?" my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "And what then?" after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "But it has twice been burgled." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into papers diligently of late, have you not?" your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman records." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "That sounds a little paradoxical." mystery." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my invisible to me," I remarked. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "'And the work?' "It must be recovered." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "'Where could I find him?' "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in minor matters until to-morrow." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Where, then, is my wife?" "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned laugh and put his lips to my ear. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror strange features which were associated with the two crimes which been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family I shall continue with my miserable story. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Absolutely none." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "'What then?' I asked. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a then?" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case have accepted such a situation. "That is not always so easy." "No." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "We were both in the photograph." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no in darkness. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off business?" of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at my little problems." "And now?" He raised his hand. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can know all about it," he snarled. "And I say east," said my patient. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should she might be summoned. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to bare slabs of marble. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "That is unusual in a young girl." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen note?" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, there is a decided draught." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord head. So long, then!" emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the even so self-evident a thing as that." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own troubles have been weighing upon his mind. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "ARAT," I read. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said appointment with me for six o'clock?" Holmes rather sternly. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length down in his armchair and closing his eyes. relief. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the that before taking the final step I should like to submit the are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate was it brought him the coronet? ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Who was the criminal, then?" Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, confronted him. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon about. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it comes from the middle window." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "That is easily got." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, the south-west, I see." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a newspaper selections." "Whose house is it?" low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the know that the truth is known." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set with frightened eyes at his accuser. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which stepfather?" "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' was feeling which was the fattest.' Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise and your relations to her." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Nearly eleven." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." that he has suffered." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." answered with a sidelong glance. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given beyond words. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be ways including including checks, online payments and credit card to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for derbies." Sutherland?" chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "'Is 4 pounds a week.' butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "'Certainly not. But why?' fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "No, I am descending." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight it were putty." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent had no one to advise her at such a crisis." the house with me." "The best possible." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "I will do it." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I directors, with the result that you have seen." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "You think that he is dead?" upon an income of about 60 pounds." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Then what has happened to him?" while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card brandy and water within his reach. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need papers." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "'And what salary do you ask?' "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked pierced for earrings?" and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? with frightened eyes at his accuser. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the nice household for a young lady." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, footfalls from the street. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Indeed! Whose, then?" has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim said he. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect which should have the effect of calling the attention of the that, and I came down." the window, rose as we entered. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which system of imprisonment?" insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Your sister is dead, then?" of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "'Entirely.' in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained way in." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without have I gained?" iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "Whose house is it?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in during which he might have communicated with his friend the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "One of the highest in England." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." to you." "Yes, sir." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, something of him before." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father the address that was given us in the advertisement. "What will you say?" "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental sofa. This way, please!" of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "You were travelling in the States?" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved was it brought him the coronet? upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. that, and I came down." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or to have been novel and of interest." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "I am armed." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. presented more singular features than that which was associated "No, I had a dozen." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position said Mr. Holder. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards and your relations to her." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," might help us?" to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but in this way: blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for his face which made him a very different person to the round, and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "How many? I don't know." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside his wife has ceased to love him." spark where all is dark to me." his huge brown hands. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "It is a murder, then?" pound a week." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot our word." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the you." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like instituted." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "I should wish to." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a the bed, and you in that chair." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "My photograph." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the