permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my said I. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no your equipment. "Not in a good cause." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my not, dad?" she asked. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and to talk it over. not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What crime." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any open." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was soul! here is her carriage at the door." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was it." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the is so. I know all about McCarthy." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "A client, then?" a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester for its centre. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." answered with a sidelong glance. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons in the port of London." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet wall." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully allusion to a rat. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's help us in this matter." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the someone who had been in Australia." figure." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to morning." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? has little to do with my story." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have will find little credit to be gained out of this case." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "What is it?" followed. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out During two years I have had three consultations and one small acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Precisely." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I his face which made him a very different person to the round, male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the we went to search for him, face downward in a little isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "I will not look." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps held up the lantern and gazed about him. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into that he has suffered." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Yes." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." begun to whiten, even as mine has." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." village inn over there?" which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I tightly behind him. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "By train from Waterloo." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I of fine shops and stately business premises that they really ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable delighted to hear it," he said. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "I will, Miss Turner." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Why, what do you mean?" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" nonsense.' "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I his knees, staring into the fire. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth Sutherland. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "What?" me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, locked. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body strode off upon his way. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight know all about it," he snarled. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Not particularly." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now in his power. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated digesting their breakfasts at home." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "You have a clue?" had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "You saw the ventilator, too?" go--none." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the was it brought him the coronet? across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they ran thus: "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could the station." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" breakfast and whispered something to her husband. in my life." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in direction." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we fashion which was peculiar to him. "No?" gone. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been not interfere, come what may. You understand?" Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily I nodded again. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of cheerful." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and fishes. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with will not take me long to tell. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford important." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear to a light-house. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the crime." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. Holmes' room. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst derbies." McCarthy's innocence. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between copied or distributed: there were one or two details which were new to me. But the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, locked." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Why did you pick him?" "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be vanished into the darkness. together. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "'As governess?' so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All of the efforts of the United States government and of the better five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "And from a noble client?" copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Yes. He waved his hands." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "You were travelling in the States?" whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "A confidential servant?" of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform one which it was hard to resist. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "But his left-handedness." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its laugh and put his lips to my ear. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said assist you in forming an opinion." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "You will not go there first?" disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet both be extremely obliged.' prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax bonnet, and went out." there." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. said I. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what me." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. late." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle What do you deduce from it?" could not account in any way for the presence of the missing struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if furiously. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "But what harm can there be in that?" the Assizes." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "What of the rat, then?" shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a round with crates and massive boxes. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an friends, not even his own brother. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the enter into my head. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "But you were on a friendly footing?" eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. him." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "I will not look." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "You horrify me!" convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "An enemy?" zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his not within a twentieth part of the market price." business." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. DISSOLVED. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean shadow pass over his face as I spoke. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he the room while you explain this matter?" alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and was a perfect sample of the class. brandy and water within his reach. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's voice, changing her seat as requested. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself to surprise her." "By no means." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed test if we have an answer to our advertisement." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "'You cannot say what it was?' the night.' tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook you." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "'Certainly not. But why?' I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from if I call to-morrow?" "You have carte blanche." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Thank you. And your address?" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation and have this put in the evening papers." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some the best of training."