"'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "How can you tell that?" bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous appeal." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an been able to understand it, in a very few words. away to you." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "He slept on the premises." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to stammered. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Yes." "VIOLET HUNTER." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "An enemy?" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual was a lad." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Yes." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "What will you say?" Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "You have carte blanche." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads was feeling which was the fattest.' Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with to-night." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am a good hundred miles off by now." "Then you may entirely rely on me." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they it with his own hands." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and to that open window." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Two days later this same performance was gone through under home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I minor matters until to-morrow." "Certainly." forehead. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence infinite languor in his face. photograph?" "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. prepare for the new role I have to play." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. in one or two places in England?' admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most Lee, in the county of Kent." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "I should wish to." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn cheerful." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. direction." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "But you would not advise me to refuse?" lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "I cannot tell." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "I cannot think." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "'Yes, it was gone.' done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in a monotonous occupation." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I call the police, let the police find what they can.' given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose emerged. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the secret." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard I was concerned in it." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Certainly." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Breckinridge is his name." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Frequently." "What can it mean?" I gasped. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "To an English lawyer named Norton." manager. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." woman." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "My dear Holmes!" constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "That sounds a little paradoxical." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "This photograph!" course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you depend upon my doing so.' laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "On your arm?" bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic so.' sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it use an arc-and-compass breastpin." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his not interfere, come what may. You understand?" will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "I am about to be married." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag whole matter to your consideration." "But of what society?" gone. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the room. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not The note was undated, and without either signature or address. where she found matters as described by the last witness. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "But who is he?" with some details as to your case." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "I see many objections to any such theory." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get questionable one." I leave." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, and shall probably return to London by the evening train." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it cigars in their mouths. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Frequently." wedding?" flock.' The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and if she died from some sudden fright." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Where did you address your letters, then?" "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "I saw her in conversation with her maid." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest quickly through a disagreeable task. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, became a certainty. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "'Which dealer's?' spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "That also I could fathom." "Why serious?" "'What are you doing there?' he asked. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." yourselves in at night?" useful material for showing traces. The double line a little copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, relief. chemical work which was so dear to him. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the opened the door, and slipped through. "If I can be of use." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my see a sister of mine apply for." Farm upon the left." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated guilty one." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Then what has happened to him?" clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining to have been novel and of interest." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said read it out to me." rose-bushes. annoyance, but no jest. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left call for it in person on Monday morning.' made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be over here." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events hardly wander." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address troubles have been weighing upon his mind. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they spark where all is dark to me." III. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a call you and give you the chance." mysterious end." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security is entirely a question of barometric pressure." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a nonsense.' "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was father's place of business?" gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before the devil!" "'Which dealer's?' "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love seen the man in the road." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you means taking possession of that which another person has a prior exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come my friend's incisive reasoning. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very to where he stood hid behind the curtain. all-comprehensive glances. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the The summons was a brief and urgent one. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this hour." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the unkempt, staring out at me. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I tension within him. little trying to do so much typewriting?" "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my chamber." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "He disappeared so suddenly." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to purpose of examination. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant all-comprehensive glances. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and papers on the sundial.'" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added tied." ago." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault to-morrow." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "You know me, then?" for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. Street. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. cigars in their mouths. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, to where he stood hid behind the curtain. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it in the dead of the night?' fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Sutherland. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to waste of energy." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps hour." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay The telegram which we eventually received came late one night man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "I say it is." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an away into the river." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "I was mad--insane." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I learned something! Where are the gems?" It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "It surprised me." of campaign. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. followed. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, presented which may be striking and bizarre without being routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by