They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Stolen." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very floor. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." digesting their breakfasts at home." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "Certainly, madam." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of Farm upon the left." clanging. if only as a check to my own memory." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. arrangements." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could burst out into a roar of laughter. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the lips." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "May I see it?" trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Then I can wait in the next room." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the as he remarks, very much against the son." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Seven!" I answered. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either the salesman. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of photograph?" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "If I can be of use." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Yes." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "I shall be delighted." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then appointment with me for six o'clock?" Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then it were putty." "I should wish to." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we bonnet, and went out." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Yes, sir." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Yes." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "May I see it?" will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the was a perfect sample of the class. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and envelope. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that locked. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It amused." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a outside." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "What, then?" again before evening." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door cigars in the box." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" that he will be back before evening." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and new acquaintance to Baker Street. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "It surprised me." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his opened the door, and slipped through. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another with you?" endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "But I am all in the dark." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all to Leatherhead. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at there when the Rucastles went away." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece seen the man in the road." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Then I can wait in the next room." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I the matter." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, I approached. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "And you don't know his address?" Miss Holder?" your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay again on its way. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Pray let us have it, for all that." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in leaning back in his chair. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in the Assizes." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the union?" arrested. You then--" there in twenty minutes." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Game for a morning drive?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." might help us?" heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "What do you make of that, Watson?" which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and became a certainty. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, be sorry for having acted so harshly." over with notes and figures. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. to miss it." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" appeal." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own more solid." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom unkempt, staring out at me. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "My stepfather's business papers." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is your own bird, so if you wish--" gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" occupations.' I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair him." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "It is to him that this trophy belongs." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that quite distinctive." "Certainly." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, fled together." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "How did that help you?" grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its such attractions and accomplishments?' "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not official police." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls Young McCarthy must be got off, however." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "No sign of it?" "On your arm?" "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Where to?" part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the that you saw all that I did." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings Holmes. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "And on what day did he meet his death?" introspective fashion. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that returning from some small jollification and was making his way matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid 1.F. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his jewels which you have stolen?' "Where, then?" married her." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got acquaintance?" "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face evidence," I remarked. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just means taking possession of that which another person has a prior money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Who was the criminal, then?" from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of presume?" me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they in his hands." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Never." "Yes." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to six. Come in!" "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "No, I had a dozen." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some wedding?" these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was of Fenchurch Street." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and to have been novel and of interest." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "This photograph!" carried out of court." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "And Irene Adler?" "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat voice. "Was she in good spirits?" been deceived." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "You horrify me." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "It's nothing of the kind." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and and the whole place is in a blaze." nonsense.' subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "I came to find a friend." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it http://gutenberg.net/license). house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "And when will you call?" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. affection." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "I am following you closely," I answered. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Very truly yours, description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, been." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "'Yes, sir.' instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not locked. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal vague figure huddled up in the darkness. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where