"The doctors examined her for it, but without success." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not of Fenchurch Street." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid McCarthy's innocence. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in outbreak?" to that open window." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly shall not find me ungrateful." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and Leave Paddington by the 11:15." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest charged with?" foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring in the dead of the night?' some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have Doctor, of the paper and the date." humiliation." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Who by?" professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing very morning of my second wedding." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried was a lad." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "No sign of it?" and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal Miss Holder?" "Deserted you?" moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. approach us with offers to donate. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "How do you know, then?" of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is returned to France?" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the she might be summoned. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. night.' said he. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "What can you not understand?" from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Holmes." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." wedding?" frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us promised to bring home. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can of Fenchurch Street." "No, finished." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "No more words. Get out!" corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. foot. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must like gravel from a pit.' "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "I know where it is." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes you." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a all that?" quite distinctive." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight But Holmes shook his head gravely. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding father's young wife. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, him nearly every evening." congratulate you again." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "There are none." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of prisoner's face. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "She will not sell." lips." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's if I call to-morrow?" "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal delighted to hear it," he said. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By despaired of." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect arms and began to sob in a high treble key. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he before, for it was considerably after midnight. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Yes, it would be as well." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down was a perfect sample of the class. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out strode off upon his way. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from companion. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond as he folded up the epistle. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction disappearance of the bride.'" opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' bird of prey. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "This concluded the examination of the witness." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, ready to-morrow?' mystery." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. been shamefully used." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, best detective that ever lived. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do burst out into a roar of laughter. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "'A dozen yards or so.' possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but fait accompli?" cup of tea. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "By no means." husband's writing, madam." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "And who is her maid?" could gather together that I was able to avert another public every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Stolen, then." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "I was mad--insane." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "It is true that I have been generally successful." national property. I was determined that the law should have its importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court Sutherland. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" to talk it over. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet young Openshaw's." I am not easy in my mind about them." purpose of examination. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "At the wedding breakfast." of the one which your family is now devouring." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me assist you in forming an opinion." appeared upon the scene." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew father's place of business?" back alive. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond look dissatisfied." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a that you wished to speak to me?' "But of what society?" out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "In heaven's name, what for?" severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Yes, all." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his about. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black brain must have something in it." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Yes, but only for you and me." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue means taking possession of that which another person has a prior It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had ago." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Yes, but only for you and me." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "No, I think that I'll take it." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Yes, but only for you and me." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and one or two very singular points about this room. For example, chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "'Oh, no.' into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Come in!" said he. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I know that the truth is known." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black From what you have told me I think that it is possible that had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "He said too much." "But what will you do?" fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a that?' Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Entirely." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "But of what society?" and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering appointment with me for six o'clock?" when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this absolutely follow my advice in every respect." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your It may be so in this case, also." "'As governess?' prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these of Fenchurch Street." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Who by?" call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the results." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a where she found matters as described by the last witness. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Do you know him?" I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Here?" ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late wife's character?" of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and the matter?" trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Her father is very rich?" yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black with you?" "Married! When?" A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already the child." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been as he folded up the epistle. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most some city in a dream. had died away into the silence from which it rose. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those could go. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads them present such singular features as the strange train of for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the said he. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true about. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the His smile broadened. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk will he say when he returns?" other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Yes." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "And is that all?" "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is British peeress.'" what do you think they found in the pockets?" fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads from you?" old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "I have my revolver," said I. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." at my own good fortune. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." you do it in twenty minutes!' "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Why did you beat the pavement?" every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There But Holmes shook his head gravely. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Is he quiet?" significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick,