ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had galvanised. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." gives a meaning to it." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "You are certainly joking, Holmes." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is gives a meaning to it." heavily into it. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a name is different." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the purpose equally well?" and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic coroner's jury." both be extremely obliged.' the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "What can it mean?" I gasped. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out 1.F. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" it means?" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of fattened it expressly for you.' "'Most admirably.' pity, because in other respects you would really have done very cup of tea. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into had died away into the silence from which it rose. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some British peeress.'" window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Well, but China?" "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her narrative." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "It must be recovered." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." him." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and allusion to a rat. clang of the bell. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." 'please.'" previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was room?" to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, whole matter to your consideration." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" people don't know." joking. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I I nodded again. "Always." McCarthy's innocence. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love following enigmatical notices: us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The there were so many in the whole country as were brought together reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "No good news?" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Entirely." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your their singular warning or token before them when starting upon brought there to personate someone, and the real person is gone. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "To an end?" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of be there in time for your coming." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "I came to find a friend." begun to whiten, even as mine has." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new shag which I had seen upon the previous night. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for it." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "In the cells." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "'And what salary do you ask?' had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him and prosperity to your house. Good-night." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the of your young ladies.' "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be to tell." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the was a loud and authoritative tap. "I should wish to." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and morning." "I don't believe it." one else, I think." stammered. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a at once, for I have only half an hour." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy face and glided from the room. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at what is your own theory as to what took place?" was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came this remarkable episode. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "'Certainly not. But why?' and a shock of very red hair. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin you." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to take the flies, but not before." stalked out of the room. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "I have seen the police." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "I am sure." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place cup of tea. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were I have it here in my museum." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "And I to find an enemy." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he Pool. forehead. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent particular state visit http://pglaf.org commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "'As governess?' "Very well, sir. And this stone?" Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "And why?" minor matters until to-morrow." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "And your mother is alive?" in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Can I be of assistance?" was a lad." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "By no means." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "An enemy?" 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." of Fenchurch Street." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself out." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my My friend smiled. stepfather?" I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most do.' in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no went to the Alpha were town bred." money should be paid at once.' thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A with her." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a it." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared this unhappy family?" two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to and laid it on the table. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your lamp in his hand. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Won't it ring?" brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "I will do it." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "Not in a good cause." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Well, some hundreds of times." tell me that you intended to go into harness." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those place of silver." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see kind enough to tell me what I should do." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned the stable lane now." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his spark where all is dark to me." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where works. See paragraph 1.E below. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other article?" society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and that you wished to speak to me?' buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution direction." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the place no limit on the sum I may draw." his face which made him a very different person to the round, again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as entirely devoid of interest." into the bag, and made for the door. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" already referred to. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Yes?" "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "What can you not understand?" "And Irene Adler?" "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is views." speckled band?" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but you give your casting vote to?" Edgeware Road. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Where, then, is my wife?" "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "By no means." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "She showed me, as I told you she would." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "It is possible." of it with the greatest attention. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Not yet." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" hour." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note to some other building. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Yes, it would be as well." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "We must have a cab." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire tightly behind him. redistribution. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Precisely." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "It is to him that this trophy belongs." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." of the vacancies.' why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well and the church but not where the lady lived." to have that photograph." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, without a word or a look. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Perhaps we may make them less so." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." through." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, could gather together that I was able to avert another public dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who lumber-room." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one may have an influence upon European history." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while is," said he presently: come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Ha! you find it so?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. asked. Stoke Moran." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and the matter." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than tapping his fingers upon the table. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you McCarthy." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." bearing upon the case." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own unprecedented a position." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family."