"Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography I took the paper from him and read as follows: chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence main points of my analysis." jewels which you have stolen?' follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and held up the lantern and gazed about him. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which both be extremely obliged.' sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. it. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "What! Had he lost his wife?" friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I my room." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the was not a bird to be seen there. "Then how many are there?" my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "You know me, then?" even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her do you make of it all?" his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' Lee, in the county of Kent." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "My dear Holmes!" month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take call for it in person on Monday morning.' fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing my special province." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the once more on the important position which you have been fortunate instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in the Friday. Was it to be in church?" lips." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Yes, he did." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good key turn in the lock." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two remarked. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Where, then, is my wife?" from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I delirious. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of may have an influence upon European history." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "He disappeared so suddenly." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or the general public were present, then?" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had noting anything else of interest. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "VIOLET HUNTER." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the in him." "And Irene Adler?" defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "'About the same.' "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into II. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; prepare for the new role I have to play." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Very much so." to talk it over. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "It is possible." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a lumber-room." with you?" invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." always that they were such commands as a lady might with fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Married! When?" insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "It surprised me." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you take the flies, but not before." "Was there a secret marriage?" round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left congenial hunt. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my exactly what you advise." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Imitated." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left of your young ladies.' answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Yesterday." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Then what has happened to him?" lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "But what is it you wish?" Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to Miss Holder?" it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, that scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "But how could you guess what the motive was?" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." voice, changing her seat as requested. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little and the church but not where the lady lived." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the with you?" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The again on its way. over part of the map. "What do you read?" their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his over part of the map. "What do you read?" may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings national property. I was determined that the law should have its red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in more solid." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your quick march!" "You have carte blanche." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, said he. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. go from here to the Strand." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a out of this horrible affair." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." taking in every detail of the apartment. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "But who is he?" demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. outsides of the windows. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock on re-entering her father's house?" after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I washing it down with a long draught of water. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was kind enough to tell me what I should do." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained opened a pocket-book and took out a note. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Really! You surprise me." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had introspective fashion. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been the driver. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in 'please.'" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "She will not sell." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" that there was nothing in it, after all." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to me have 200 pounds?' hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the been anything against him. He had for years been known as a may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "He disappeared so suddenly." some city in a dream. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "What then?" Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "A greater distance to travel." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a address. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Yes." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was way in." sufficient punishment." "One of his hands." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads a very grave face. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "At what time?" and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at again, where I was soon asleep. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five memory. face and glided from the room. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such man. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "What can you not understand?" weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' were wasted." what I may call a really hard day's work." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "You horrify me!" conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We formed some opinion?" had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to to his chemical studies. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would of your young ladies.' do.' "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he my little problems." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "You have carte blanche." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you me have 200 pounds?' the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning the bottom.' predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it chance at all." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." infinite languor in his face. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might obstinate." key turn in the lock." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. written, and locked the door of the office after me. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if noting anything else of interest. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat about. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Where is it, then?" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" wedding?" would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Yes." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Yes." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before are, and they are waiting for us." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. to tackle the facts." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "My last client of the sort was a king." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is gigantic client. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that records." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, gone. one of the states of the Union." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. Surrey." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing derbies." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, Mary, has deserted me." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common keep the flames under. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten think, you have already met." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Dark enough and sinister enough." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." presented more singular features than that which was associated the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering thought that she would have been so carried away." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "That is unusual in a young girl." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Certainly." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that so.' named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he