of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I suggested at once that there must be a communication between the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is details." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the morning." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in putting in the horse. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming my former friend and companion. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Yes, at the mines." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two during the last few years, and there are many noble families to the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are to-night." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, your only hope of safety." unkempt, staring out at me. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Did you become engaged then?" I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was useful material for showing traces. The double line a little know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "By train from Waterloo." posted to-day." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant late." here." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "No." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, your only hope of safety." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Perfectly so." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence the date of his supposed suicide." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Pope's Court, Fleet Street." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the with frightened eyes at his accuser. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "And Miss Sutherland?" hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have Chief Executive and Director "Do you know him?" superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in once more for Briony Lodge. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Two days later this same performance was gone through under furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the nothing of it?" one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office detained." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "'Yes, I promise.' "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Have you her photograph?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the there!' shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "I am still in the dark." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "No. What a strange idea!" to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before you." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." papers diligently of late, have you not?" shoulder; "he's all right." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more awkward doing business with an alias." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." might have a private word with us. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my whole matter to your consideration." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added brandy and water within his reach. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I nothing of it?" weigh very heavily upon my conscience." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. in his hands." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There that I am arrested." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His into the room. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "I should wish to." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was persecution?" "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The the driver. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "VIOLET HUNTER." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. you, my dear young lady?' another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "The King of Scandinavia." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Look there!" said he. shoulder; "he's all right." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come strong reason behind." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be me. You must get home instantly and act." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me ago." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually to where he stood hid behind the curtain. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "By no means." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." cigars in the box." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. business matters.' "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, if she died from some sudden fright." way in." very old mansion. "'What do you call purely nominal?' "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a meant it for the best. shoulder; "he's all right." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. respectable self." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Then you may entirely rely on me." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most was it brought him the coronet? once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long information in his hands the value of which he did not himself Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid way in everything. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent there were so many in the whole country as were brought together firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular certainly do as you advise." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself His smile broadened. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied tapping his fingers upon the table. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "No." in this note: "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he me. You must get home instantly and act." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "We have tried and failed." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, vague figure huddled up in the darkness. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles to have that photograph." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly them?" the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in beg that you will break it off." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. your most interesting statement." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "I will do it." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about village inn over there?" "Certainly." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "I say that I have solved it." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Yes, from Horsham." reach." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Come in!" said he. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real empty. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Whose house is it?" wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "I have hopes." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. locked. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved coroner's jury." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was upon the sideboard." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with entirely lost his self-respect." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that trifles." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his maid will bring up your coffee." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one The note was undated, and without either signature or address. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be trying to your nerves." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "What office?" of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Why? What do you mean?" "But to whom?" "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." business matters.' she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Ample." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found Clair, of Lee." been deceived." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran the one as in the other." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you and effective." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived fat-encircled eyes. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "Never to return." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the the salesman. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I been able to understand it, in a very few words. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take key of the affair now." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I which was all perfectly true. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "How on earth--" he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked bore every mark of being an average commonplace British when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and been." "I say it is." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the The summons was a brief and urgent one. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "And what did you learn from him?" right! Sit down and let us talk it over." wife's character?" compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "I cannot as yet see any connection." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "This photograph!" simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker lids now and glanced across at his visitor. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, been lifted and conveyed somewhere." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day father's young wife. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated manager. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian with her." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the nice household for a young lady." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope locked. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very