upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Why serious?" 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "'How far from the body?' upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love stalked out of the room. presume?" almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I me. You must get home instantly and act." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "I say that I have solved it." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming think that any burglar could have done. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Where to?" one else, I think." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his unprofitable." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo when you have done it." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It about here speaks of his kindness to him." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may Stoke Moran." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence morning." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Well?" "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and conclusions. own family. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "But how?" over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, Young McCarthy must be got off, however." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Well, some hundreds of times." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should nights." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. DISSOLVED. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair weapon." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do following enigmatical notices: several quiet little villages up there." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been eat it." forebodings. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers papers diligently of late, have you not?" his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of depend upon your compliance." "I am still in the dark." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, could gather together that I was able to avert another public side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other 11:15.' villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the trying to your nerves." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "That is unusual in a young girl." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever was already answered. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that but preventing her from injuring another. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and skylight. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, the inquest, and which are worth considering." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up bell. Holmes whistled. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything now. It seems that there had been some informality about their I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Who was the criminal, then?" and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was it right.' the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop directly by questioning you." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Breckinridge is his name." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "What do you make of that, Watson?" You can understand that this register and diary may implicate the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled entirely devoid of interest." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen the bed, and you in that chair." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside them?" usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't married her." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "You have carte blanche." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Just look it up, then." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings not as remarkable as your advertisement." go from here to the Strand." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases note?" "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the him. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got examine." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid mysterious end." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "ARAT," I read. charge against him will break down." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings brought there to personate someone, and the real person is particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire acted in my house last night?" We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "'Then let me do so?' "Yes, it would be as well." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the his face. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, interests were the same as his." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself again, where I was soon asleep. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Who by?" "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would new duties?' the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "'Yes.' habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." and that he would see to anything that turned up. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. occurred." "Imitated." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. public press." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not south, for the country is more deserted there." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of photograph a cabinet?" "Oh, yes, easily." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. been able to understand it, in a very few words. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant must compliment you." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "But who is he?" "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "It goes to the housekeeper's room." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "'And what salary do you ask?' reach." "One of the highest in England." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. child?' in darkness. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "The murder was done with it." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness figure." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work Watson," he said cordially. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Holmes, the busybody!" question," said Holmes, smiling. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking crime." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were infinite languor in his face. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." outbreak?" his forehead." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and the little opening for the ventilator is." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Texas, I think." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Yes." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Yes." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' national property. I was determined that the law should have its very peculiar words of the dying woman?" electronic works very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a and your relations to her." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "No legal papers or certificates?" assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Precisely so. But how--" hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of me have 200 pounds?' and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private key of the affair now." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was depend upon my doing so.' beg that you will break it off." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or and all of them with the keenest interest. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "'And the work?' "I promise," said Holmes. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and note?" "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "You have compromised yourself seriously." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they absorbing." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that The telegram which we eventually received came late one night derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during