Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City and capable of preserving a secret.' "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's unclasping of his long thin hands. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it of." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but bird I ate is country bred." a very grave face. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the of Mr. Rucastle's." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a upon the shelf for the interim." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a chambers. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "'Never.' now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "About a month then." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that room had already been engaged for us. writers could invent nothing more crude." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room that I can to serve you." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "What do you make of that, Watson?" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "And what did you see?" recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and and wait." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was I shall continue with my miserable story. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her populous neighbourhood." appointment with me for six o'clock?" written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "I should like to see him very much." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we discontent upon his features. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" the devil!" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his now. It seems that there had been some informality about their of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my Pool. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Yes, it would be as well." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Pray continue your narrative." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "That is also quite modern," said the lady. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that assist you in forming an opinion." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Married! When?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding there when the Rucastles went away." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" the salesman. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the extraordinary contortions. "No, I had a dozen." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Stolen, then." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings upon a handsome competence. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "I don't say that. Perhaps." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, out of this horrible affair." sake, don't!" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet at once, for I have only half an hour." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "No. What a strange idea!" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "This concluded the examination of the witness." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point nonsense.' plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I what do you think they found in the pockets?" get her out of the way." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us tell them apart.' "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows Miss Holder?" stood on the top of it. here and I will read it to you: "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Awake, Watson?" he asked. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and chamber." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "You think that he is dead?" "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official prisoner's face. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "That sounds a little paradoxical." "But she will refuse." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and The summons was a brief and urgent one. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "I think that I had better go, Holmes." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." astonishment. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A indeed which he could not unravel. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "And what did you see?" submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that six. Come in!" pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "I will, Miss Turner." words came to my lips. less than 26s. 4d. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each crowd. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to neither fascinating nor artistic." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I in a friendly supper." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Yes, I have one waiting." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long hand, madam?" in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different correct than the official force." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do me where it went to?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress to have been novel and of interest." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. himself in a perplexing position. crackling voice. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "'I shall certainly be there.' winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill likely to be some crony of the landlady's." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Yes." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should and capable of preserving a secret.' years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the cigar and let me expound." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "In heaven's name, what for?" understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the of receipt of the work. "Never to return." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an strength." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss carried out of court." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my correct than the official force." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "'It is locked up,' I answered. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." the stones. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and closing the door. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "I am to be neutral?" central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your brandy and water within his reach. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Dr. Becher's." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew written. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just The telegram which we eventually received came late one night there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Nothing?" "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that memory. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and trying to your nerves." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address has little to do with my story." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. business matters.' "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Certainly." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Yes, the wine-cellar." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "Where is it, then?" understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a presented which may be striking and bizarre without being letters?" entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for morning." "'I have heard so.' 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "Where to?" Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "But what is it you wish?" "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they one of the states of the Union." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "I guessed as much." "Yes." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a already referred to. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes what these perils are?" are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' of the way of danger. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "How on earth--" St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Very much so." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the I think that I could be of assistance to you." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up congenial hunt. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone this man was intellectual?" "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Nearly eleven." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "What do you make of that, Watson?" puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See leaning back in his chair. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. maiden herself was most instructive." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "It is very clear." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which of your young ladies.' as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Lee, in the county of Kent." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "By all means." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity to tell."