light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you and that he would see to anything that turned up. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' threw himself down with his face to the pillow. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "'Never,' said I. "None." the stable lane now." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "And what did you learn from him?" usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is tell them apart.' but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, within hail.' this as likely?" engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, which we had just quitted. your most interesting statement." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up swore that no one else had been in the front room during the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my main points of my analysis." "Yes, at the mines." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John my former friend and companion. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "And how in the world did you find them?" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was go from here to the Strand." "Not social, then?" "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, your co-operation." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be particular state visit http://pglaf.org monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, compunction about shooting them down." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "What have you done?" asked Holmes. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of nights." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to gone. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "My opinion is in no way altered." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "How are you getting on?" however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "And now?" He raised his hand. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If felt?" "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very My friend smiled. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, families. Now for the facts. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and hurried by. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "At what time?" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the your most interesting statement." "By all means." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "It surprised me." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Not in the least." fattened it expressly for you.' "Yes, at the mines." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, depend upon my doing so.' said he. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking status with the IRS. "'Where to?' "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, point our research must commence, and we will begin it by my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no him!" "Not yet." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. heavy and sharp instrument." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and had picked up in the wood. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she to-night's adventure." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in to his chemical studies. straighten it?" Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite James Windibank. Voilà tout!" the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to were wasted." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain mystery." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I the dangers which encompass me." "By no means." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." taking in every detail of the apartment. hair?' and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter of Mr. Rucastle's." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "An enemy?" was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "We must have a cab." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your go--none." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Stolen, then." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "It is his hat." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Perfectly so." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Not I." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." cigars in their mouths. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and garden below. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler asked. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Not yet." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was astonishment. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. what do you think they found in the pockets?" over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Yes, certainly." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. suspect him." "Then the page we have seen--" "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his straightened it out again. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately such attractions and accomplishments?' it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "That is also quite modern," said the lady. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A been shamefully used." "Certainly." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a have an American origin." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees You can understand that this register and diary may implicate his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two business." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few had formerly been in part my own. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "He slept on the premises." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I written. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant discontent upon his features. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "What are they?" "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "But to whom?" "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." matter." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to them?" Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in have an American origin." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right was a lad." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "To an English lawyer named Norton." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been of campaign. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of night.' said he. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "What can you not understand?" "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the depend upon your compliance." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. appointment with me for six o'clock?" the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love I was concerned in it." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I the stones. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "What will you say?" the nursery. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a respectable self." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "I am about to be married." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "How on earth--" and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "That is also quite modern," said the lady. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Very murderous indeed." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, his knees, staring into the fire. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most the ceiling. "And from a noble client?" crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we room?" these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "That is easily got." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Nothing." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the union?" receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that shall not find me ungrateful." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until my room." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and said he. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "To an English lawyer named Norton." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers orange pips. success. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your hopeless attempt at recovering them." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "If I can be of use." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "You heard nothing yourself last night?" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Yes, only one." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for know that the truth is known." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low the inquest, and which are worth considering." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your hand, madam?" "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few to where he stood hid behind the curtain. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. It may be so in this case, also." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "What will you do, then?" beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Tired-looking or fresh?" shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest roused himself from his reverie. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful been lifted and conveyed somewhere." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we danger is over." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down distance from the station, and there we found the young lady Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "And did you observe any change in her then?" perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you never to learn it at all." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered strode off upon his way. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Do you go out much in society?" "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I pressing in one house as in another. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution children over to America with him, so that I found myself without an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could