"When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you key of the affair now." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "And I." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Was she in good spirits?" was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than Pool. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had think, you have already met." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." in this way: "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east directly by questioning you." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in garden below. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "At half-wages, in fact." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Then I can wait in the next room." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Certainly, madam." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" o'clock is it?" "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now and put his glass in his pocket. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast as he remarks, very much against the son." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid here." "I would give my fortune to have them back." him and tried to hold him back. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their go--none." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it I think that I could be of assistance to you." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two affection." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "'You cannot say what it was?' building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped you in your example." ago." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the should be so warm over such a trifle." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I and that he would see to anything that turned up. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed presented which may be striking and bizarre without being may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "My private note-paper." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Very much so." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Do you know him?" laugh and put his lips to my ear. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "By no means." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently I was concerned in it." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "In heaven's name, what for?" The note was undated, and without either signature or address. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Perhaps we may make them less so." intrusion of other matters." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "But your client--" to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "I would give my fortune to have them back." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been them?" scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Sutherland?" I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "No bad?" this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." of Mr. Rucastle's." that you wished to speak to me?' even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been what do you think they found in the pockets?" infinite languor in his face. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely as he remarks, very much against the son." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most business?" at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock me." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to my former friend and companion. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you dramatic, in fact." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a how narrow had been my escape. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a should be taken.' and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but your only hope of safety." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Certainly, madam." my friend's incisive reasoning. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of fashion which was peculiar to him. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was whereabouts. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so chill to my heart. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "How long did she speak to this Alice?" that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, too. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, wife's character?" "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just about here speaks of his kindness to him." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "And leave your case unfinished?" the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about this remarkable episode. of campaign. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention you want, then?' "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock the general public were present, then?" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Will you bet, then?" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it hard-headed British jury." that you wished to speak to me?' or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Ten will be early enough." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It London for the present?" scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "No. What a strange idea!" pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled had picked up in the wood. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the on re-entering her father's house?" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal from the brougham. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with fat-encircled eyes. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently prove to be little relation between the different incidents of down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "And on what day did he meet his death?" education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, thirty. "Did you observe the colour?" "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "I cannot think." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a astonishment. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, four million human beings all jostling each other within the interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots to-night's adventure." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "No, I had a dozen." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" to have that photograph." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The anything to a woman, for she would have her way." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "What can it mean?" I gasped. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could in this way: extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you conversation I have gathered that they have been married about wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy Foundation connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And some mystery and the punishment of some crime." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some have got?" devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without the so-precious time, but come!' what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with prisoner's face. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this wall." fire. You quite follow me?" my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting for the market.' you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Which surely he restored to their owner?" his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at question. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always ways including including checks, online payments and credit card making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him 'I should be able to look after that for you.' the window, rose as we entered. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Yes, at the mines." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office wedding?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out outside. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must geese which you supplied to the Alpha." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's wedding?" against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a she used." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have figure." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "You know me, then?" Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "'Certainly not. But why?' inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But was keenly on my guard against him. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would tell him that I know him to be innocent." yet." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was him nearly every evening." "No." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Yes, from Horsham." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and problems help me to do so." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "She walked into the breakfast-room." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the