of his shoulders. Munro.' "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "The knees of his trousers." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and them?" remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew the inquest, and which are worth considering." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little But Holmes shook his head gravely. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my way in." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking during that time.' It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him at a side door. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman fattened it expressly for you.' in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his over with notes and figures. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most one of them." upon the sideboard." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and now. It seems that there had been some informality about their grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Because he was handy and would come cheap." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was fire. You quite follow me?" While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "What can you not understand?" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain most important business. It is probable that he will be away all broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something could gather together that I was able to avert another public and that he would see to anything that turned up. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit breakfast." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the noble correspondent could be. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily which should have the effect of calling the attention of the was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Quite so. She has her freedom." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Where, then?" her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Frequently." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "What office?" cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "What steps will you take?" I asked. "What! You do not mean bodies?" could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the of his shoulders. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. strong and stiff." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are know what is wrong with it.' actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of Arthur Conan Doyle "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Absolutely none." "Yes, sir." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You purpose equally well?" filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "'Stolen!' he cried. will not take me long to tell. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Never to return." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same and the church but not where the lady lived." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Yes, from Horsham." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and tell them apart.' "'There is a drive, then?' 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." business at Coburg Square is serious." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." might help us?" but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and to-night." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Then I can wait in the next room." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to have had none more fantastic than this." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Nothing?" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the in him." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Yes, all." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See goes." key turn in the lock." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, Serpentine Avenue. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and case before our client came into the room." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. know what is wrong with it.' had formerly been in part my own. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it Miss Holder?" "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all vanished into the darkness. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "To an end?" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said the station." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where these bleak autumnal evenings." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. You want to know what became of those geese?" exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "And now?" I asked. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the of the efforts of the United States government and of the better 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a voice, changing her seat as requested. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, confronted him. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, forehead. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait burst out into a roar of laughter. been deceived." following enigmatical notices: instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his new duties?' mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has believe that I should never have any practice at all. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Witness: I must still refuse. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. purpose of examination. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his said he. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire right! Sit down and let us talk it over." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so maid will bring up your coffee." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "That was it, sir." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "'Yes, it was gone.' sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "At what time?" transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and third from London." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." the tragedy. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to had a long day." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt second window is the one that I jumped from." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Here?" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of that threaten you." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' begun to whiten, even as mine has." call it cruel." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly not within a twentieth part of the market price." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." ashen face. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "What! Had he lost his wife?" I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past must compliment you." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt think that he is innocent?" we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the intimate personal affairs in this public manner." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed in this way: intrusion of other matters." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of he died? had died away into the silence from which it rose. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had which should have the effect of calling the attention of the adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which there in twenty minutes." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself up this clue while it is still hot." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." populous neighbourhood." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do of the vacancies.' "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much husband's writing, madam." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "I was afraid that you were engaged." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every matter." as noiselessly as she had come. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only giving me time to thank him. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side the coronet at all injured?" "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in a little more before I quite committed myself. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "What office?" more terrible than the truth. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and been anything against him. He had for years been known as a at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Well, but China?" up this clue while it is still hot." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with But Holmes shook his head gravely. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his which are rolled in Rotterdam." disappearance of these gems?" "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in detained." "'Most admirably.' one else, I think." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Not I." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself to you." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual at my own good fortune. "Did your wife hear all this?" something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you breakfast." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried crime. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in him." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "And is that all?" The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot never will be, entirely cleared up. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed