blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "My opinion is in no way altered." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." like gravel from a pit.' unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon away to you." ashen face. "'A dozen yards or so.' Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales little adventures." feature." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the My friend smiled. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself crackling voice. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." Where does the thing come from?' future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low a monotonous occupation." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "So I heard. You have him here?" "How did that help you?" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Why serious?" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn putting in the horse. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Her father is very rich?" impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the ashen face. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "You forget that I know nothing about it." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "I shall be delighted." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." could go. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving had formerly been in part my own. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have very old mansion. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, page at http://pglaf.org main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now business came to an end." noble correspondent could be. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet the room while you explain this matter?" his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "You know me, then?" signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had eavesdroppers?' there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "On the contrary, this is the right side." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the had picked up in the wood. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely hereditary King of Bohemia." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "The King of Scandinavia." window when the police appeared." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to putting in the horse. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of once more for Briony Lodge. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does overpowering excitement and concern. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and during that time.' case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "And sit in the dark?" occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to disturbance in my wife." "10th. John Swain cleared. seen the man in the road." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, fatally injured? But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport lost nothing by them." "No legal papers or certificates?" moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. on in his house." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes done what I asked you, Jones?" was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "But it has twice been burgled." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker From what you have told me I think that it is possible that when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Do you go out much in society?" her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." you." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Never." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little with frightened eyes at his accuser. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms I leave." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." your co-operation." seen the man in the road." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away mysterious business." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our once more for Briony Lodge. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At this remarkable episode. results." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "I will, Miss Turner." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs Eyford at 11:15.' at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Then I shall certainly come." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to during which he might have communicated with his friend the frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor intimate personal affairs in this public manner." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the few hundred pounds.' other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Will you go?" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can observed. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still be sorry for having acted so harshly." "And Irene Adler?" "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened paper in the air. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Just look it up, then." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Could he throw no light?" trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Whose house is it?" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a locked. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Doctor, of the paper and the date." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was bird I ate is country bred." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There Street. case-book, which he consulted. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the the address that was given us in the advertisement. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Who was the criminal, then?" secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the and that he would see to anything that turned up. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Then I can wait in the next room." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City yet." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. reach." good-night and bustled off upon her way. conclusions. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "That is also quite modern," said the lady. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are imbecility!" he cried. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "He is dead," cried several voices. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly pierced for earrings?" "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I hurried away. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the the window, rose as we entered. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us had this final quarrel? if she died from some sudden fright." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over was not a bird to be seen there. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Very murderous indeed." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would society." habit of advancing money.' registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. and a shock of very red hair. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "And Miss Sutherland?" "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her seen the man in the road." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself delighted to hear it," he said. "Pray let us have it, for all that." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some answered with a sidelong glance. Lee, in the county of Kent." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Always." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated straightened it out again. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in fatally injured? plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for three of the beryls in it, was missing. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached been with you?" "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had strong reason behind." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. standing smiling on the door-step. "Frequently." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went But Holmes shook his head gravely. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "What can it mean?" I gasped. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Pray be precise as to details," said he. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in residence of the great financier. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Dirty?" inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his throat." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Entirely." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as the running down." know what is wrong with it.' very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he depend upon my doing so.' Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if made his money." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers grasp, he hurried from the room. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a helping a boy to put up the shutters. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of before, for it was considerably after midnight. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post