assist you in forming an opinion." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do fuss that is made over them." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated trifles." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. this unhappy family?" danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in take the flies, but not before." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' business at Coburg Square is serious." "Nearly eleven." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and were wasted." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of Stoke Moran." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "I don't believe it." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about appeal." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new me, and I could not think that his explanation of the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I what these perils are?" graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to people in all walks of life. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the this as likely?" seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Perhaps we may make them less so." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine Holmes." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. ashen face. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, papers." "But your client--" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "What I expected to see." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. fattened it expressly for you.' the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. the very morning of the wedding." me. You must get home instantly and act." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" whatever might befall. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four kind enough to tell me what I should do." respectable self." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "'About the same.' it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a simple cases which are so extremely difficult." the address that was given us in the advertisement. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of Serpentine Avenue. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "My private note-paper." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to criminal. We have already had experience of such." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the the devil!" struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "What is it, then--a fire?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face quite distinctive." companion quietly. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "No, distinctly professional." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "We were both in the photograph." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "My opinion is in no way altered." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Ample." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide your only hope of safety." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Was the window open?" "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our use an arc-and-compass breastpin." sneer upon his pale face. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love 11:15.' and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin families. Now for the facts. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." your sleep?' had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of ordinary clothes on?" ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up your billet.' tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with believe that I should never have any practice at all. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so papers must be those that are destroyed.' "I will do it." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous of your young ladies.' locked. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and that I am arrested." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure them?" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most beyond words. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "I have come for advice." "You think that he is dead?" 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "I am armed." certainly not very gracious." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few your most interesting statement." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George gone. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "What then?" and inquire as to the address." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still learned something! Where are the gems?" evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "And I." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Thank you. Pray proceed." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. there when the Rucastles went away." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "It is no ordinary one." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Perhaps I have." "Has he come with you to-night?" "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and I. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper ran thus: coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which sparkled upon his finger. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the companion quietly. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "'Then let me do so?' "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less nonsense.' looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" begun to whiten, even as mine has." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. enter into my head. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my to take care of herself." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The see me here to avoid scandal." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "The Coroner: What do you mean? continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "By train from Waterloo." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few Holmes rather sternly. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "That is easily got." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, thought that she would have been so carried away." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." before the coroner and the police-court." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Awake, Watson?" he asked. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was vault. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat Foundation crime. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "And that is--" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary strode off upon his way. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were suggested at once that there must be a communication between the a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "One of the highest in England." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "How did he come?" is acting for the best. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to the dangers which encompass me." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Have you it here?" sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "And it is--" I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "And what did you see?" "The landlord of the Alpha." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "'And the work?' heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be knowledge of the world." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Two days later this same performance was gone through under coat-tails." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery green of the new foliage. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. in his power. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." writer." not personally threatened." writer." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been ready to-morrow?' "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms ill-usage at the hands of fortune. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, always that they were such commands as a lady might with home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no she has been waylaid. There has been no result." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of crowd. and inquire as to the address." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "What I expected to see." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Get out!" said he. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort indiscretion." like that before?" "But his left-handedness." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Certainly, madam." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Very. But will he see it?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Ah!" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and he died? London for the present?" "To ruin me." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. from the brougham. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached about. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I dramatic, in fact." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, leave you to your papers for a little." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Upon what point?" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, take the flies, but not before." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into yards of it?' "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and which was all perfectly true. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, page at http://pglaf.org following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of speckled band?" of the way of danger. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the distinguish the words: congratulate you again." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between again on its way. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late felt?" gone. I think that I could be of assistance to you." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper awaited us upon the table. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the have established a very serious case against the son of the entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last