one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "She walked into the breakfast-room." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to it. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies could not have written that. It is the German who is so down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took of your young ladies.' thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the Holmes." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he had no one to advise her at such a crisis." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property take the flies, but not before." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Quite so." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "You have a clue?" result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the than to us. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in during that time.' derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he the coronet at all injured?" "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I already referred to. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until looking up at the numbers of the houses." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "About a month then." hardly wander." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "Very murderous indeed." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all Eyford at 11:15.' often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See relief. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "And it is--" "Stoke Moran?" said he. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet you." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of experiences." my former friend and companion. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I and laid it on the table. to me. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." this as likely?" "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would October 9, 1890. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "And now?" He raised his hand. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one examination of the premises, but without finding anything which nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had had died away into the silence from which it rose. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered if she died from some sudden fright." "The Cedars?" brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "It is very kind of you." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not at my remark. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "The rest you will leave in our hands." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. records." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." you give your casting vote to?" "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Then, as to money?" ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Pray do so." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "And leave your case unfinished?" sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Yes." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in weapon." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Nothing?" pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of own family. there!' breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "My dear Holmes!" flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "One of his hands." the tragedy. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "No." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found go from here to the Strand." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without politicians who had been sent down from the North. she to prove their authenticity?" "I cannot tell." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is make me his representative both with the servants and with the "'Quite sure, dad.' Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Why did you pick him?" breakfast." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me south, for the country is more deserted there." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Precisely." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "No." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "And who is her maid?" my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four events than those which have happened in my own family." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions weigh very heavily upon my conscience." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up do." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven business in the City. She little knew what. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told noise which awoke you from your sleep?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "And now?" He raised his hand. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "You have compromised yourself seriously." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since undoubtedly my uncle's." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and matter." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy lectures into a series of tales." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. as the one I chose?' nights." "I am in hopes that she does." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." the nursery. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the London for the present?" fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable the matter?" front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, meanly of me." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at views." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "It is no ordinary one." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian which are rolled in Rotterdam." awkward doing business with an alias." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Nothing." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to him!" insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "I would give my fortune to have them back." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a The telegram which we eventually received came late one night his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled the south-west, I see." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and chemical work which was so dear to him. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the skylight. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' were new raised from a basin. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and the armchair which I pushed forward for him. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the is," said he presently: and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of do." read it out to me." "My opinion is in no way altered." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "You have the photograph?" single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Bought." four million human beings all jostling each other within the "I am in hopes that she does." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which him, that man would not have given me such complete information eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not front of me. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "To an end?" side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "You saw the ventilator, too?" back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Yes, it would be as well." events than those which have happened in my own family." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Your French gold?" Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "I shall be delighted." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard followed. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "And sit in the dark?" contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we best detective that ever lived. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had fat-encircled eyes. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin drove away. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he posted to-day." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, the general public were present, then?" residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Leadenhall Street--and--" "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Lestrade of Scotland Yard." neither fascinating nor artistic." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. towards the blaze. instincts rose up against that laugh. someone who had been in Australia." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and,