not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed disappearance of the bride.'" the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." shall not find me ungrateful." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and asked. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Yes." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "It is half-past ten now." strode off upon his way. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge in my life." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked in him." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and most interesting one." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch ceremony." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If my friend's incisive reasoning. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which most important business. It is probable that he will be away all characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so my former friend and companion. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "And now?" I asked. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Yes, but only for you and me." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "VIOLET HUNTER." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "By no means." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, sound at heart." wanted for ourselves." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "No?" "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." him to go away.' making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "'Ten to two.' license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "And how?" to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his following enigmatical notices: carried out of court." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about McCarthy." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange giving me time to thank him. was used.' Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "'Not at all. I only doubt--' trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom trying to your nerves." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "No." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several heavily into it. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Then how many are there?" "And leave your case unfinished?" "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no sparkled upon his finger. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced clanging. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of passage and a tap at the door. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the good for you to do.' "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "'What are you doing there?' he asked. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my a good hundred miles off by now." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my to talk it over. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Of Friday, June 19th." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. confronted him. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with matter." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Why? What do you mean?" "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." rat could hardly pass through." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. were new raised from a basin. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a status with the IRS. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable waste of energy." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three outside." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An conceal it?" dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. chance." straightened it out again. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you will take you up to see the machine.' when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. recover the gem." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, anything to a woman, for she would have her way." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," and the whole place is in a blaze." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly of this gang." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." to arrive at through this?" connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and easy-going way." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Nothing?" a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat there!' the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "You were travelling in the States?" "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my fled together." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and believe that I should never have any practice at all. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for on in his house." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me been." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' be.' "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking the roots. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "An accident, I presume?" I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with criminal. We have already had experience of such." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a carriage. It was a chestnut." "He is still with you, I presume?" "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the sneer upon his pale face. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily and laid it on the table. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits Sutherland?" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied bird of prey. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "So I have heard." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, congratulate you again." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "I know where it is." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "'Entirely.' Foundation having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the there were one or two details which were new to me. But the knowledge of the world." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Very truly yours, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "How on earth--" "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the not fit the lock." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "What is it?" "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been http://gutenberg.net/license). woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "At half-wages, in fact." gigantic client. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is advice." "In which, sir?" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "None." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "None." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "To ruin me." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Then he might have called to you?" the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall the dangers which encompass me." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, obstinate." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Then I shall certainly come." Stoke Moran." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and III. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have to miss it." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door call the police, let the police find what they can.' of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "I cannot imagine." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard without success. At last the little money which I had saved began which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. business matters.' I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "'I am sure if I had known--' "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and what is your own theory as to what took place?" brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything during that time.' statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing bears upon the case?" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of in one or two places in England?' his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he salesman. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot to me. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I window when the police appeared." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door breakfast." residence of the great financier. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it his fortune, and I went back to pa. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "'And what are they worth?' I asked. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I appeared upon the scene." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a waste of energy." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his very peculiar words of the dying woman?" one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend his grey eyes. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any to his chemical studies. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of and that he would see to anything that turned up. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "I assure you that I am in your hands." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "It surprised me." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come to go into your room and bar your shutters?" there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect it. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the father's young wife. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "It goes to the housekeeper's room." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." business matters.' Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very business came to an end." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great second." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge in the dead of the night?' luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. Miss Holder?" from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he