every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." bonnet, and went out." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "What! You do not mean bodies?" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. look upon these things in a different way." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." to have been novel and of interest." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "But we can't all be." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which retorted upon me, and I on you." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" points in connection with it which never have been, and probably sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Then you may be so with me." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately gone. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. Have you good authority for what you say?" even so self-evident a thing as that." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his call you and give you the chance." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Entirely." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "That also I could fathom." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I before, for it was considerably after midnight. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for as the one I chose?' "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "But you were on a friendly footing?" social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of trifles." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "It came here." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose strong reason behind." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea of a light. late!' face and glided from the room. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "'It is locked up,' I answered. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon the coronet in his hand?" 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera the ceiling. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out fat-encircled eyes. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH any more." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the page at http://pglaf.org "At the wedding breakfast." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, fashion which was peculiar to him. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "At half-wages, in fact." nothing of it?" understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "'There is a drive, then?' everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Very. But will he see it?" from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "'What would be the hours?' I asked. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense notes," he said. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "And what then?" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as once more to my work. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Certainly." your equipment. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered children over to America with him, so that I found myself without approach us with offers to donate. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the conduct the inquiry." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. forecastle of an emigrant ship. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, which are rolled in Rotterdam." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was is acting for the best. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and there in twenty minutes." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "No, I had a dozen." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the Serpentine Avenue. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the Sutherland. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. Doctor, of the paper and the date." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my discontent upon his features. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "It certainly sounds feasible." "'And the work?' charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I works. See paragraph 1.E below. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. back alive. lamp in his hand. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "He is still with you, I presume?" walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of entirely devoid of interest." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "I have my revolver," said I. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to business?" "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master excitement. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be despair." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the cause to be." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "And your mother is alive?" even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found bare slabs of marble. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself writers could invent nothing more crude." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. the ceiling. down. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. chamber." to surprise her." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "9th. McCauley cleared. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make it with his own hands." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at man. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you happened." a good hundred miles off by now." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Yes, sir." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" bed dies. Does not that strike you?" marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, towards the blaze. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being them, and came down just as you departed. window when the police appeared." them, and came down just as you departed. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE villagers almost as much as their master. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must conclusions. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "'Yes, sir.' present." room. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "What, then?" "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and delighted to hear it," he said. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "A greater distance to travel." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by all that?" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! mystery." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." at once, for I have only half an hour." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he brandy and water within his reach. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "But I am all in the dark." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just of his shoulders. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your which are rolled in Rotterdam." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp stepfather?" black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "'I am sure if I had known--' air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but persecution?" what do you think they found in the pockets?" veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew records." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in own family. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "It surprised me." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am derbies." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "'I am sure that I do not know.' five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Lee, in the county of Kent." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "On your arm?" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "'You cannot say what it was?' not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "I assure you that I am in your hands." one which it was hard to resist. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether which should have the effect of calling the attention of the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "By all means." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden II. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and once more. "Do you know him?" of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw he bowed and left the room without another word. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and Holmes' thin, eager face. "'What do you call purely nominal?' where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. tied." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool.