third from London." taking in every detail of the apartment. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "I am following you closely," I answered. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' companion. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, were wasted." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no What do you deduce from it?" upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing a very grave face. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is pressing in one house as in another. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Not particularly." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "I have seen the police." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. of Fenchurch Street." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Won't it ring?" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Absolutely none." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few clanging. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "I never have." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "And what did you see?" the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too other lovers by making love himself." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "The best possible." "'I am sure if I had known--' making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "My Mary? Impossible!" to a light-house. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in goes." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant made his money." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is the night.' him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this him to be an active member of the medical profession." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his Heh?' certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and where she found matters as described by the last witness. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And gone. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" is four-and-twenty." you for a few hours?" "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called to a more successful conclusion." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "And Irene Adler?" Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I about. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Yes, but only for you and me." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "What shall I do?" "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several hands. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This you." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do not within a twentieth part of the market price." Clair, of Lee." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little enter Dr. Roylott's room." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a handed it to him. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, hurried away. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I my little problems." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his this man was intellectual?" brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the 11:15.' an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in intrusion of other matters." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where chair. coroner's jury." "'Where could I find him?' hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets question," said Holmes, smiling. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was prepare for the new role I have to play." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to client, rising. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "The King of Scandinavia." young Openshaw's." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A up this clue while it is still hot." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps his wife has ceased to love him." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which of them has the shutters up.' and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. of a light. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after and wait." "And your mother is alive?" frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Of Friday, June 19th." power." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources forbidden door. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you of the vacancies.' lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He to you." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul open." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "'Certainly not.' waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving the warnings." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in best detective that ever lived. business." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social business." "A call for help, you thought?" better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the horse could go." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "'Yes, it was gone.' considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "How did he come?" Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in distinguish the words: "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "It must be recovered." to talk it over. putting in the horse. I nodded to show that I had heard. companion imperturbably. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad here." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of it were putty." points to suicide?" We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Very. But will he see it?" of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Really! You surprise me." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on really the only notable feature about the thing." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But stepfather?" hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, bare slabs of marble. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that just ask you whether you had heard it.' arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Yes, from Horsham." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months business." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so at a side door. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Never." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "No." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "'Never,' said I. brain must have something in it." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." into the bag, and made for the door. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Come in!" said he. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing humiliation." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have chamber." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a carriage. It was a chestnut." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was without a word or a look. McCarthy." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my in a very precise fashion." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is cup of tea. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the questioning and rather startled gaze. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining possible that we could bring him back to her? from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "'Ten to two.' When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I prisoner's face. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have suspect him." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into through." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue papers on the sundial.'" a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "But who is he?" member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour such person." father's young wife. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been persecution?" the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Pray tell us what has happened to you." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "I shall most certainly do so." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in at once, for I have only half an hour." "No?" of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." the King without delay." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to interest. They are important, you understand, without being approach us with offers to donate. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the him to be an active member of the medical profession." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical formed some opinion?" X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "It looks newer than the other things?" Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Come in!" said he. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off it with his own hands." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He my friend's incisive reasoning. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from the loss of it. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee