of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Has he come with you to-night?" profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than fattened it expressly for you.' but preventing her from injuring another. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line the child." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Stoke Moran?" said he. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on and the colonel ushered me in. "Absolutely none." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who will he say when he returns?" wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third affection." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was Countess of Morcar's?" his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "And the murderer?" "Yes, the wine-cellar." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my strong and stiff." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" I shall continue with my miserable story. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in out." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble your own bird, so if you wish--" "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "And is that all?" had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, obstinate." open." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her of your young ladies.' his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "No." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "'Yes, sir.' retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some was lame." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own had a long day." "Game for a morning drive?" a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "None. Neville wrote those words." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "I cannot tell." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me I took the paper from him and read as follows: listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "I see many objections to any such theory." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you a few minutes he said that it would be all right. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "I don't say that. Perhaps." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." locked. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be said I. "Very truly yours, Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "I cannot imagine." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I pound a week." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City golden eyeglasses. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in he died? certainly not very gracious." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "You have a clue?" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. think, you have already met." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very Holmes. "Witness: It was. Chief Executive and Director "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very as he folded up the epistle. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. acquaintance?" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey passage and a tap at the door. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when very peculiar words of the dying woman?" into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him friend's singular character. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of the matter." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of beyond words. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "I am all attention, madam." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of obstinate." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "I am armed." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress thin, with a long, sharp nose?" be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the investigation." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most as the one I chose?' mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "I am about to be married." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in we went to search for him, face downward in a little Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has never came back." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If when your master had gone out." "'Yes, I promise.' about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Young McCarthy must be got off, however." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. that you wished to speak to me?' now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" that I may have something better before very many minutes are events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. believe that I should never have any practice at all. girl said." "In heaven's name, what for?" boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Precisely." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. corner of the building. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my this as likely?" "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Witness: I must still refuse. the bed, and you in that chair." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "What I expected to see." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will had formerly been in part my own. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his God! What an exposure! What can I do?" John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to crowd. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Certainly." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that to talk it over. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and the armchair which I pushed forward for him. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact assist you in forming an opinion." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. voice, changing her seat as requested. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Seven!" I answered. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest Surrey." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging Doctor, of the paper and the date." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any man. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Get out!" said he. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "That you are never beaten." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "I have solved it." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "But we can't all be." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "This photograph!" When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a that you wished to speak to me?' attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred goes." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." kindly on the shoulder. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted guilty parties." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the detective. business." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my to surprise her." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Is he quiet?" "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "You are certainly joking, Holmes." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little clang of the bell. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "I saw her in conversation with her maid." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water bearing upon the case." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear right! Sit down and let us talk it over." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "And the murderer?" I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the done what I asked you, Jones?" "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "It was." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole house for five minutes.' out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I London for the present?" itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a present." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged bearing upon the case." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all fact, we may call it conclusive." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Eyford." help us in this matter." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Perhaps we may make them less so." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no pictures, libraries, or plate. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Perfectly so." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera memory. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the to affect your life." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his of the vacancies.' your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Seven!" I answered. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "What! a murderous attack?" "I was sure that I might rely on you." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, a monotonous occupation." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to of the efforts of the United States government and of the better very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, gone. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "What!" he roared. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "You are all wrong." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without