this man was intellectual?" metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his the best of training." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the out." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Because he was handy and would come cheap." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he to you." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, from the brougham. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than of a light. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a instituted." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of to his chemical studies. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I present strange and interesting features that it is no easy hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's business in the City. She little knew what. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you this truth that in these little records of our cases which you I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "I will not look." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." the salesman. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, have not had my rubber." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the careless servant girl?" "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," go--none." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate corner of the building. will be renamed. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it you in yours." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Of what day?" was shining brightly. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "What office?" "But it has twice been burgled." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those digesting their breakfasts at home." hands. think that any burglar could have done. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Well, but China?" He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the Miss Holder?" on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her face and glided from the room. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "I saw her in conversation with her maid." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." occurred." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" gone. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle returned to France?" one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has which it had come upon my father." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself me where it went to?" "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "He is dead," cried several voices. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "I warn you that they are very incomplete." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the you found me to-night--and running through the front room she was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "How about poison?" think, you have already met." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "So I am. Very much so." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "And how did you verify them?" "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "When did it break out?" "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young enter Dr. Roylott's room." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No the coronet in his hand?" "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a the stable lane now." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Her father is very rich?" "Ample." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old third from London." union?" observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it sufficient punishment." "No, my brougham is waiting." better grown goose." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for mysterious end." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the arrangements." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "I promise," said Holmes. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Ah!" important." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce the tragedy. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter stammered. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at power." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Stolen, then." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "That is it on the dressing-table." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing is entirely a question of barometric pressure." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of quite distinctive." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a not interfere, come what may. You understand?" though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it him!" leave you to your papers for a little." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "I shall be delighted." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "'Certainly,' I answered. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by strong reason behind." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry constraint." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "You horrify me!" sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "My opinion is in no way altered." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "My last client of the sort was a king." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery weary and pale-looking. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate http://gutenberg.net/license). "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point figure." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "'Quite sure, dad.' hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "But what harm can there be in that?" the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "So I heard. You have him here?" perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in do you make of it all?" "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an 1.E.9. sake, don't!" whereabouts. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "But what will you do?" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "'What then?' I asked. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "I should be immensely obliged to you." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I conclusions. "You are hungry," I remarked. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we some place of shelter and let the county police know what has were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there about here speaks of his kindness to him." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut I leave." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had to take care of herself." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I his eyes and forehead. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and upon an income of about 60 pounds." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "None." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's cost them two and thirty pounds." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I salesman. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, the dangers which encompass me." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. the room while you explain this matter?" Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a asked. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years hands. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three chemical work which was so dear to him. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached away into the river." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "An accident, I presume?" of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Eh? What was that?" who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But third from London." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the chemical work which was so dear to him. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Your presence might be invaluable." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at forbidden door. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so interests were the same as his." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my both be extremely obliged.' fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first you." "My photograph." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Stoke Moran?" said he. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Of what?" flock.' and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, 'please.'" could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We certainly do as you advise." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "The Cedars?" the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Stolen." to-night?" I asked. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more a suggestive one." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots horse could go." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Well, some hundreds of times." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "No more words. Get out!" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at posted to-day." bedroom door." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was me. You must get home instantly and act." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "I am still in the dark." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer.