"But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Never to return." cause to be." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." secret." think, you have already met." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have geese which you supplied to the Alpha." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "She showed me, as I told you she would." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two threw himself down with his face to the pillow. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I there is a decided draught." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a means taking possession of that which another person has a prior into the bag, and made for the door. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor case-book, which he consulted. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" 1.F. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up troubles have been weighing upon his mind. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon noise which awoke you from your sleep?" at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as that there was nothing in it, after all." only touch the interest." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He It may be so in this case, also." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Sholtos." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut 'please.'" You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" the bottom.' these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Nothing?" "But you can know nothing of this?" laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "By train from Waterloo." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "He slept on the premises." "Did your wife hear all this?" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen to take care of herself." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "On Monday." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with shadow pass over his face as I spoke. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in strong reason behind." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "That also I could fathom." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident second window is the one that I jumped from." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and envelope. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when John Swain, of St. Augustine. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "And sit in the dark?" an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg the inner apartment." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in our word." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "No." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not was already answered. way in." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no in the hope of finding them." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had the very letters. But what is this written above them?' of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot interest. They are important, you understand, without being were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon tied." name is different." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always papers on the sundial.'" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there chair. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at kind enough to tell me what I should do." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The the Assizes." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "We have tried and failed." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, question," said Holmes, smiling. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little that, and I came down." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It ran thus: It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose orange pips. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is will be renamed. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to strength." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Ample." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My spark where all is dark to me." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no and your relations to her." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the something of him before." it." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me maiden herself was most instructive." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "And what did you see?" pressing in one house as in another. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a noise which awoke you from your sleep?" exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I o'clock is it?" find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." said I. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "None." of receipt of the work. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for thin legs towards the fire. passage and a tap at the door. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "His face fell immediately. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between since then to throw any light upon what became of him." the very morning of the wedding." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a get her out of the way." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. mysterious end." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. wedding?" snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and observed. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental status with the IRS. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step States. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, have accepted such a situation. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer possible that we could bring him back to her? very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official the stones. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Yes, I have one waiting." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works conduct the inquiry." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at the warnings." you." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that which are rolled in Rotterdam." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "'What would be the hours?' I asked. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "'What, the red-headed man?' your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "What have you to say now?" disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "Yes, that is the Crown." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "I don't say that. Perhaps." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in indiscretion." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and it." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search that threaten you." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me himself in a perplexing position. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Not particularly." "No more words. Get out!" Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For meant it for the best. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my gives a meaning to it." hurried away. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out you, my dear young lady?' from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' said I. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "But I am all in the dark." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about hurried by. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private there were so many in the whole country as were brought together my special province." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Was there a secret marriage?" "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son your bag." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "What are they?" to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange your only hope of safety." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal this Miss Turner." "It is possible." it were putty." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "I have hopes." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "But how did you gain them?" the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is you give your casting vote to?" to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Frequently." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He him to go away.' overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. bird I ate is country bred." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary of note-paper. It read in this fashion: this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open your Highness to the police-station?" shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, client, rising. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "That is unusual in a young girl." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he the Assizes." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. fait accompli?" I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Ah!" some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus question," said Holmes, smiling. "Which are?" cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no indeed which he could not unravel. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened was a loud and authoritative tap. to a more successful conclusion." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's upon the white wrist. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened and all of them with the keenest interest. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet