which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But arrested. You then--" "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less do.' strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" likely to be some crony of the landlady's." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and forecastle of an emigrant ship. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of I held the little printed slip to the light. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into that you wished to speak to me?' thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "What do you mean?" "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been thought that she would have been so carried away." like that before?" starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his lips." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet Where does the thing come from?' post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor suspect him." Holmes rather sternly. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have point our research must commence, and we will begin it by knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "There are none." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." written, and locked the door of the office after me. taking in every detail of the apartment. bird of prey. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think bears upon the case?" "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the the bottom.' "Really! You surprise me." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Tired-looking or fresh?" "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which his eyes and forehead. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There of the one which your family is now devouring." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "No, my brougham is waiting." wedding?" "Did you observe the colour?" through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something it means?" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Nothing?" "It was." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "When did it break out?" maid will bring up your coffee." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have cheerful." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle a very grave face. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle was already answered. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud to miss it." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the you do it in twenty minutes!' It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Won't it ring?" "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible to Leatherhead. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Where to?" than to us. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: telegram would bring me down to your help." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Not in the least." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "'And what salary do you ask?' "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and you do it in twenty minutes!' of Mr. Rucastle's." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with had picked up in the wood. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, sake, don't!" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room look upon these things in a different way." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "In answer to an advertisement." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one weighed down with some great anxiety. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the careless servant girl?" and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for papers on the sundial.'" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Was he the only applicant?" hurried away. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in photograph a cabinet?" "The King of Scandinavia." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "You have compromised yourself seriously." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and himself. both be extremely obliged.' to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Her father is very rich?" flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in nothing with him." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott closing the door. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "What! You do not mean bodies?" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** that he will be back before evening." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "VIOLET HUNTER." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will remarked. man. "But what will you do?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was once more on the important position which you have been fortunate up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for bird I ate is country bred." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is tell them apart.' that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double there!' world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my Holmes. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged married her." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting carried out of court." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed way: "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Well?" opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "And how?" "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to forbidden door. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "I have seen the police." this as likely?" think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange appeared upon the scene." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." has little to do with my story." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the him to be an active member of the medical profession." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "'In my own bureau.' little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "The gentleman I describe." breakfast." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "The rest you will leave in our hands." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was hair?' "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of because she had spent so short a time in this country that she Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled here." detained." introspective fashion. "What can it mean?" I gasped. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "I have hopes." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten it." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" neither fascinating nor artistic." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, business in the City. She little knew what. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered fasten all the windows?" answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. written, and locked the door of the office after me. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is Doctor, of the paper and the date." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their round and wave him away like that.' and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "I cannot think." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "From his hat?" "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a security.' certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "No sign of it?" "When did she vanish, then?" conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. IS his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to straightened it out again. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" problems help me to do so." foot. hurried away. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Have you it here?" "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Not yet." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide them?" down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She there were so many in the whole country as were brought together Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about directors have had misgivings upon the subject." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was likely to be some crony of the landlady's." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an the matter." "But what harm can there be in that?" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "His face fell immediately. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my the very morning of the wedding." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet dead, shall be safe with us." get the tickets." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you mystery may be cleared along those lines." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right October 9, 1890. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which himself to hunt down. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "How many? I don't know." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, lumber-room." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in 1.F. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall fattened it expressly for you.' to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly weapon." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled