impression behind it as though a window had gently closed active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive noise which awoke you from your sleep?" outsides of the windows. "What steps will you take?" I asked. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than again." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way article?" unclasping of his long thin hands. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two someone who had been in Australia." "And sit in the dark?" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "In San Francisco, a year ago." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally help us in this matter." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which of the efforts of the United States government and of the better journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, what do you think they found in the pockets?" really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the child?' most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after how narrow had been my escape. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing was the fact that his father should, according to his account, then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Do you receive much company?" he asked. and I shall be with you presently." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the pierced for earrings?" photograph a cabinet?" does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Ten will be early enough." "'I am sure if I had known--' manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching in his hands." "I will try. What is it?" trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of place no limit on the sum I may draw." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every the coronet in his hand?" a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring the King without delay." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "'In my own bureau.' "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "You know me, then?" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She business." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case strode off upon his way. you understand?" and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into for securing the situation." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey approach us with offers to donate. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw definite end. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "'And the work?' stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. You want to know what became of those geese?" nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. stammered. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a to miss it." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where During two years I have had three consultations and one small cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my I took the paper from him and read as follows: was a loud and authoritative tap. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "What can it mean?" I gasped. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Then, as to money?" which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "We were both in the photograph." "Was there a secret marriage?" man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the mystery." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" voice. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Have you her photograph?" "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" Doctor, of the paper and the date." "I don't believe it." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "What are they?" should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. had died away into the silence from which it rose. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your closing the door. "It surprised me." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable and that he would see to anything that turned up. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." to you." in one or two places in England?' at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding of this gang." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in business." shoulder. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, fear." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in presume?" "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Yes, he did." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got The summons was a brief and urgent one. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Very murderous indeed." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of his face. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "'Very good.' confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are Pope's Court. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence foresight and the moral retrogression?" yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black you in your example." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was in him." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. look dissatisfied." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my http://www.gutenberg.net agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Won't it ring?" pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the It may be so in this case, also." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "'In my own bureau.' "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of opportunities to fix the problem. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it may have an influence upon European history." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "'And what salary do you ask?' the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and prepare for the new role I have to play." "And how did he make his money?" yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the tightly behind him. held up the lantern and gazed about him. for the market.' to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Very. But will he see it?" into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "It's nothing of the kind." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Proceed, then." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the chance at all." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in companion imperturbably. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant envelope. this man was intellectual?" left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the and all of them with the keenest interest. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot of campaign. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Game for a morning drive?" wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered God! What an exposure! What can I do?" would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle awkward doing business with an alias." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Very much so." row." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "And what then?" pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "By no means." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "That is possible." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "It is possible." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of several quiet little villages up there." one of the states of the Union." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman may have an influence upon European history." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return said he. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' call the police, let the police find what they can.' A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "You have a clue?" "Were they all fastened this morning?" stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "How are you getting on?" dates and names. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or note?" a little more before I quite committed myself. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "'Yes.' whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the the morning and make my own way in the world.' quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have where we are going." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and placed his cuttings. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of details." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "My dear Holmes!" "Quite so." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "My opinion is in no way altered." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." fluttered off among the others. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "'Quite sure, dad.' "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a for and were ordered to this address. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit likely to be some crony of the landlady's." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in been deceived." "May I see it?" and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "You'll never persuade me to believe that." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little I think that I could be of assistance to you." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did during that time.' "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't here." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." from the brougham. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "What?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Yes, that is the Crown." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have brandy and water within his reach. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "That you are never beaten." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the it." which we had just quitted. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "How do you know, then?" Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? key turn in the lock." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a Surrey." "What then?" marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made writing, and yet I know it well." down. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the