devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the learned something! Where are the gems?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "I say that I have solved it." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do unprecedented a position." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Yes." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had I. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "My dear Holmes!" Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside appeal." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking chance." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' to tackle the facts." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even morning." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. the matter." tied." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Can I be of assistance?" round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the throat." some water from a caraffe. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." arrested. You then--" nights." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be any more." purpose equally well?" in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. guilty one." "Pray do so." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very during the last few years, and there are many noble families to months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural I approached. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united characteristics, but those are the more obvious." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked into the bag, and made for the door. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? o'clock is it?" remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the conduct the inquiry." power." "No, finished." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped me what he had done with the three missing stones. with the outside air!" "I came to find a friend." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Not in the least." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the flock.' This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "That is unusual in a young girl." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend if she died from some sudden fright." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in it means?" a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Entirely." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open points in connection with it which never have been, and probably A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever companion quietly. crime. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Deserted you?" That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in bedroom door." only touch the interest." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have what is your own theory as to what took place?" "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "In the cells." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of was a perfect sample of the class. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had III. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the better in every way that they should make their position a little "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation own family. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he as yours." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out Cross for the Continent." detained." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Here?" I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the what do you think they found in the pockets?" master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "None. Neville wrote those words." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call bore every mark of being an average commonplace British well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I washing it down with a long draught of water. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend woman." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again round and wave him away like that.' "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "'Yes, sir.' of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was call it cruel." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "No legal papers or certificates?" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." chance." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland already been minutely examined." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. Holmes. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "And what then?" to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I weighed down with some great anxiety. problems help me to do so." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. individual and becomes the badge of a society." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in points in connection with it which never have been, and probably printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands http://gutenberg.net/license). Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "What! Had he lost his wife?" as this. Pray let me have the details." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand with frightened eyes at his accuser. the general public were present, then?" believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "'Certainly not.' first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey The events in question occurred in the early days of my "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That the Friday. Was it to be in church?" of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "But she will refuse." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new washing it down with a long draught of water. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, better in every way that they should make their position a little "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining off." more solid." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "And for present expenses?" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, prove to be little relation between the different incidents of including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "You heard nothing yourself last night?" clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "This concluded the examination of the witness." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the once more to my work. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well if I call to-morrow?" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "But you can know nothing of this?" Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in conceal it?" Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. morning." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "So I heard. You have him here?" stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to to affect your life." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If matter." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The the warnings." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily directors, with the result that you have seen." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "In the cells." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same possible that we could bring him back to her? business." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the to affect your life." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "But she could not love him." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder ventilator." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "But you would not advise me to refuse?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's me have 200 pounds?' lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his will be renamed. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in formed some opinion?" "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, him. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "I don't say that. Perhaps." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from into the room. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a happened." as this. Pray let me have the details." newspaper selections." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "What do you make of that, Watson?" eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman side. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps of the one which your family is now devouring." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "I am still in the dark." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any union?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "I shall most certainly do so." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At comes from the middle window." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "I was afraid that you were engaged." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique your most interesting statement." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that correct than the official force." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "I say it is." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "And what did you learn from him?" recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an delighted to hear it," he said. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for giving me time to thank him. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both long narrative. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of Project Gutenberg-tm works. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum true." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "What have you done?" asked Holmes. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed already referred to. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that bedroom door." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered cause to be." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She I nodded to show that I had heard. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one your sleep?' "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Bought." foot. here." problems help me to do so." depend upon my doing so.' The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, gentleman's clothes. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch man. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an were new raised from a basin. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Yes." money should be paid at once.' call the police, let the police find what they can.' nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's