I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in not fit the lock." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was call the police, let the police find what they can.' the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming indeed happy." where we are going." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "It was a confession," I ejaculated. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally companion imperturbably. them?" useful material for showing traces. The double line a little again." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "'Not at all. I only doubt--' black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. leave you to your papers for a little." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I singular points about the case. What did the police think of the my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "'Very good.' "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "He slept on the premises." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and completely overtopped every other consideration that we both together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "But you were on a friendly footing?" hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free in one or two places in England?' the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's she used." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable even of instruction." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." security.' wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "'Certainly not.' "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me During two years I have had three consultations and one small my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "Where, then, is my wife?" are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Not in a good cause." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. that you can jump it.' heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "That sounds a little paradoxical." everything which you would wish to know." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his future lives." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a away into the river." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' seem to you to be relevant or not." "ARAT," I read. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed remarked. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. the station." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "And how did he make his money?" vanished into the darkness. that?' "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have not as remarkable as your advertisement." young Openshaw's." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our tapping his fingers upon the table. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But events than those which have happened in my own family." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we touch that coronet?' "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do and laid it on the table. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how asked. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to goes." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous straightened it out again. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I carriage. It was a chestnut." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face over part of the map. "What do you read?" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his know all about it," he snarled. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already enter into my head. "I am armed." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "I was certainly surprised to find you there." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "None." thirty. "And how did he make his money?" other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Very well, sir. And this stone?" leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in to-night's adventure." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your is four-and-twenty." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was indeed which he could not unravel. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "The murder was done with it." our word." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "I will do it." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently through." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "But it has twice been burgled." Count Von Kramm." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself Have you good authority for what you say?" back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that redistribution. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms it. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the guilty one." about here speaks of his kindness to him." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. until night should bring an explanation. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' has little to do with my story." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and furiously. himself in a perplexing position. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached front of the hall door has given its name to the place. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Did your wife hear all this?" slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it my special province." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "But how did you gain them?" experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Nearly eleven." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Not I." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." I have it here in my museum." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "None." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "I don't say that. Perhaps." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "He slept on the premises." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a the nursery. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my I shall communicate with you." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "'Is purely nominal.' Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to his eyes and forehead. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I voice, changing her seat as requested. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is you in yours." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." what do you think they found in the pockets?" Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Yes, sir." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried your Highness to the police-station?" her also." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he sentimental considerations in the background which would induce something of him before." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little friends, not even his own brother. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond dear old homesteads?" isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "She showed me, as I told you she would." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "It's nothing of the kind." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of interests were the same as his." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Yes, all." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business new duties?' closing the door. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Then the page we have seen--" such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is recall any case within my experience which looked at the first unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this more terrible than the truth. manager. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able such attractions and accomplishments?' know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who will take you up to see the machine.' "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. dear old homesteads?" exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "I was sure that I might rely on you." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would already referred to. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in the little opening for the ventilator is." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he present." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, companion. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building nice household for a young lady." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would the room while you explain this matter?" the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." For additional contact information: which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal wanted for ourselves." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever Cross for the Continent." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "I don't say that. Perhaps." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the face and glided from the room. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Yes, he did." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Then he might have called to you?" grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "And your mother is alive?" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me writer." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a me where it went to?" well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was country, and eventually married, without anyone having a laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." strong and stiff." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "It's nothing of the kind." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son questioning and rather startled gaze. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "But how will you look?" "Very much so." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "Then, as to money?" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was of." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. yards of it?' "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight from you?" sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black entirely lost his self-respect." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most enter Dr. Roylott's room." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "'It is locked up,' I answered. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "What is it, then--a fire?" "Were they all fastened this morning?" and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. charged with?" you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of peculiar to him.