everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" of this gang." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so certainly not very gracious." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "What! a murderous attack?" "My photograph." lost his Christmas dinner." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe foot. be.' have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project was already answered. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell the very morning of the wedding." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "There is the writing." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was deduce something from that?" eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker without a word or a look. acquaintance?" heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of of his shoulders. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side me." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" Again Holmes raved in the air. detained." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing I took the paper from him and read as follows: appeal." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, happened." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "I think that it is very probable." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and or in danger--" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted of receipt of the work. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the http://gutenberg.net/license). time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." hardly wander." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us some mystery and the punishment of some crime." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand grasp, he hurried from the room. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "The rest you will leave in our hands." place no limit on the sum I may draw." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, train.' "Then, as to money?" strode off upon his way. orange pips. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, to-night?' This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." to change my dress. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might indeed which he could not unravel. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." help us in this matter." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Yes, certainly." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless purpose equally well?" "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking infinite languor in his face. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, fait accompli?" his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his detective. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Yes." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Where, indeed?" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Yes." certainly do as you advise." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook one which it was hard to resist. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the his knees, staring into the fire. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "He is dead," cried several voices. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her as this. Pray let me have the details." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and points to suicide?" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the Does that suggest anything?" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." in this way: The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin conduct the inquiry." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but business at Coburg Square is serious." "'Yes, I promise.' the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is to have been novel and of interest." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Yes. He waved his hands." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Not yet." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high fuss that is made over them." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Of what day?" rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid wedding?" in the port of London." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start conduct the inquiry." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Gutenberg-tm License. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as matters immensely." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Perfectly so." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King to a light-house. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much his wife has ceased to love him." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose out of this horrible affair." pierced for earrings?" there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "She showed me, as I told you she would." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "You have carte blanche." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "And it is--" is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander way: "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing Clair, of Lee." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "But how?" make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can depend upon your compliance." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Very murderous indeed." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, dead, shall be safe with us." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "I shall most certainly do so." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear help us in this matter." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, hardly wander." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "I will do it." "I am about to be married." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us me, and I could not think that his explanation of the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "A greater distance to travel." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm too. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the trying to your nerves." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I been anything against him. He had for years been known as a his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying and the whole place is in a blaze." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." infinite languor in his face. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Not yet." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had been deceived." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" done what I asked you, Jones?" "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He golden eyeglasses. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and the night.' child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, was already answered. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called the best of training." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have to take care of herself." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day plantation.' as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass away into the river." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and experiences." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "To an English lawyer named Norton." are windows in it, of course?" wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had Watson," he said cordially. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would and effective." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if the running down." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "The Coroner: What do you mean? arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon you want, then?' While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor status with the IRS. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the opened a pocket-book and took out a note. not within a twentieth part of the market price." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the heavily into it. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw is now desirous of getting those letters back." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he down from London to inquire more deeply into it." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must south, for the country is more deserted there." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you ourselves in the office." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and rose-bushes. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we frequently gained my first real insight into the character of touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence weary and pale-looking. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Will you bet, then?" some place of shelter and let the county police know what has We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular lamp in his hand. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Where, then?" "One?" I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and Edgeware Road. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "What will you say?" your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO success. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something 1.E.9. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the nothing with him." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. had picked up in the wood. this Miss Turner." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "He might." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal outsides of the windows. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his bedroom door." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "'Is purely nominal.' man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is gone. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same followed. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "'Is 4 pounds a week.' sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, Holmes' room. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "But what will you do?" takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making thin legs towards the fire. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "What have you to say now?" previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "No good news?" one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police to tell." before, for it was considerably after midnight. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the prisoner's face. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Yes." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." the loss of it. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Dirty?" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by has little to do with my story." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which morning." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, memory. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the and files of the old papers, following the future career of every this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Yes." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that room had already been engaged for us. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I to some other building. you." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which giving me time to thank him. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret then?" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than opportunities to fix the problem. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Certainly." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor death." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a recover the gem." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at have traced her. What has she been saying to you?"