to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She than to us. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." next day. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these notes," he said. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this one else, I think." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "I assure you that I am in your hands." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, flock.' fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin to where he stood hid behind the curtain. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "What will you say?" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are them?" the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist undoubtedly my uncle's." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge sentimental considerations in the background which would induce and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "'Certainly,' I answered. "Yes." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily his fortune, and I went back to pa. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, him to be an active member of the medical profession." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried intrusion of other matters." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most of a light. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. should be taken.' and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "I should wish to." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Do you go out much in society?" squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "And I say east," said my patient. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I fire. You quite follow me?" "Quite so." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "My dear Holmes!" his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Yes, I have one waiting." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know fait accompli?" least a most suspicious remark." I shall continue with my miserable story. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a thought that she would have been so carried away." crime. "You horrify me." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "I cannot tell." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal ill-usage at the hands of fortune. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call depend upon your compliance." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted thin legs towards the fire. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' this as likely?" received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man you give your casting vote to?" man. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've details." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, presented which may be striking and bizarre without being marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which the bottom.' "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation The events in question occurred in the early days of my determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite this poor creature." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, reach." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "She told me to ask you." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business his wife has ceased to love him." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a yards of it?' always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the long narrative. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, character. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most when you have done it." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "No. What a strange idea!" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a wife's character?" and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit chill to my heart. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was and the colonel ushered me in. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "The knees of his trousers." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "And you can do nothing until then?" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an extraordinary contortions. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because chamber." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that retorted upon me, and I on you." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Very truly yours, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried of it with the greatest attention. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Very well, sir. And this stone?" card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "No, I think that I'll take it." "And I say east," said my patient. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put gone before you can get him to hospital." "My dear Holmes!" panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing our word." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in ceremony." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where main points of my analysis." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "What can you not understand?" took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an habit of advancing money.' wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and never to learn it at all." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty directly by questioning you." go back?" as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my true." matter over." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You bill, which interests me deeply." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." Holmes." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Yes." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the instituted." your Highness to the police-station?" large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our bed dies. Does not that strike you?" Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into to me. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his know all about it," he snarled. "By no means." stood on the top of it. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband very morning of my second wedding." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "But I am all in the dark." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of anything to do with the matter?" unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent tapping his fingers upon the table. to miss it." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw only touch the interest." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a quite distinctive." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That mystery may be cleared along those lines." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and success. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, thirty. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "'You doubt its value?' he asked. narrative." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, and I shall be with you presently." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "I don't say that. Perhaps." "There are none." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. said he. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions awaited us upon the table. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at morning." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my Holmes rather sternly. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "You are hungry," I remarked. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the carried out of court." paper in the air. thin legs towards the fire. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Yes." "From his hat?" I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if bill, which interests me deeply." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I rooms." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many careless servant girl?" little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt the matter." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact matter." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the definite end. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate into her hand at the door and which lured her within their opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight clanging. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom points in connection with it which never have been, and probably have had none more fantastic than this." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did swore that no one else had been in the front room during the broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, himself to tell his story. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "'A dozen yards or so.' "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "What office?" orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as companion. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug I approached. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "By all means." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back