can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea introspective fashion. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. do.' down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours through." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough Watson," he said cordially. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway the house with me." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more present." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "And how in the world did you find them?" suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the be best to do. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." to a light-house. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Witness: It was. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy again, where I was soon asleep. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this that there was nothing in it, after all." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, already been minutely examined." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated James Windibank. Voilà tout!" again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should ourselves in the office." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "She will not sell." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own less than 26s. 4d. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his with some details as to your case." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us Holmes. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "'Tell me all about it,' said I. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Well." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "'And the work?' and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet have accepted such a situation. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to several quiet little villages up there." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a started for the Temple to see my husband. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Very truly yours, with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Not in a good cause." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect you do it in twenty minutes!' "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a now. It seems that there had been some informality about their beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "'In my own bureau.' down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will there when the Rucastles went away." sneer upon his pale face. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' in. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I maid will bring up your coffee." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main shall not find me ungrateful." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "And you thought he was pulled back?" Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and imbecility!" he cried. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his memory. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Yes." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are him to be an active member of the medical profession." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Then I can wait in the next room." touch that coronet?' presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Sutherland. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than emerged. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was that I can to serve you." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Was the window open?" Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Pray let us have it, for all that." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental in this note: Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while Leave Paddington by the 11:15." hardly wander." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "And I." eavesdroppers?' aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Dr. Becher's." keep the flames under. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "And what did you see?" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom when you have done it." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the attention." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." very old mansion. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" upon the sideboard." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, empty. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my past. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed my room." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may province." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been begin with, and I had not got mine yet." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Yes." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "It certainly sounds feasible." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." thirty. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his my little problems." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Oh, fresh and glossy." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had little adventures." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, of them has the shutters up.' believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "It is possible." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Awake, Watson?" he asked. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was did not hear it also.' "You have carte blanche." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it I approached. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the I have it here in my museum." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Which are?" that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too I was concerned in it." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in peculiar to him. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "At half-wages, in fact." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to information in his hands the value of which he did not himself monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then your own bird, so if you wish--" as this. Pray let me have the details." His smile broadened. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared believe that I should never have any practice at all. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg posted to-day." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be of it with the greatest attention. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's have had none more fantastic than this." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "But she could not love him." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, developed." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, have one." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "My dear Holmes!" round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the and shall probably return to London by the evening train." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "I warn you that they are very incomplete." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off business." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and his huge brown hands. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying to arrive at through this?" "There are none." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he his knees, staring into the fire. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Nothing." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "I would pay ten." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in noble correspondent could be. "And you can do nothing until then?" week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Stolen." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera just called myself is not exactly my own." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked pound a week." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. be there in time for your coming." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear chair. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should will he say when he returns?" "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens standing smiling on the door-step. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet other, as fresh and trim as possible. garden below. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." room?" beg that you will break it off." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by light and attacked it." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Nothing." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Thank you. Pray proceed." awkward doing business with an alias." the so-precious time, but come!' rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Precisely so. But how--" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom and I shall be with you presently." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Then you may be so with me." upon the white wrist. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the dear old homesteads?" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Why serious?" He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a woman." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "He said that you could solve anything." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over on re-entering her father's house?" piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in later, upon the night of May 2nd." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Yes, it would be as well." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed in a very precise fashion." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking developed." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased was it brought him the coronet? six. Come in!" said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a do you make of it all?" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "And did you observe any change in her then?" or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Countess of Morcar's?" Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He